Westmeath Topic - 20 April 2017

Westmeath Topic: 20 April, 2017
YOUR LOCAL
NEWSPAPER
Thursday, 20 April,2017 • Issue No. 2356 • www.topic.ie
MADE
€2
WELL WORTHIT!
IN WESTMEATH
Kilbeggan Races aiming to build
on ambitious future programme
INSIDE
Out&About
in Mullingar
Remembering
Ambassador
Rooney
Success for
local artists
DESPERATION
Young family left homeless after fire • Mother due to be induced
As we went to press this week,
late on Tuesday afternoon, 18
February, a young couple with
two little children, aged 5 and
6, the interior of whose home
was destroyed in an accidental
fire last Tuesday, 11 April, and
who were lucky to escape with
their lives, were sitting in the
Atrium area of Westmeath Co.
Council offices, refusing to
leave.
Christopher Nevin, aged 30 and
his 27-years-old wife Mary, felt
they could not leave the offices,
after having been told there was no
accommodation available in
Mullingar, and that they could not
put a caravan into their back yard.
“I was told that even though my
house is completely boarded up,
with metal on all the doors and
windows, that I could lose the
house completely if I put in a caravan.
What are we supposed to do?
My wife Mary has to go into the
hospital next week, to have her
third baby induced, and we’ve
been asked by Christopher and
Brigid, with whom we’re staying,
to try to get a house, as we’re sleeping
on their floor on a mattress at
present. That’s thirteen of us in a
3-bedroom house, and I can understand
their problem,” Christopher
Nevin said.
“It looks as if they expect Mary
to have her baby on the streets of
Mullingar,” he said. “I’ve done
everything I can but its still square
one. I had to borrow my brother’s
jeans yesterday.”
“There is one law for the rich and
another for the poor,” he said,
explaining that he has been on disability,
after having meningitis as
a child, and is waiting for a heart
operation.
The Nevins told Topic that last
Friday, the Housing officer said
Contd. on page 2
Christopher and Mary Nevin, with children John Joe (6) and Alison (5) sitting in the Westmeath Co. Council atrium on
Tuesday afternoon.
Call 087 7678283
Free Registration
@ The Lir Music Academy
Mary Street,
Mullingar
044 93 47493
www.marystreetpharmacy.ie
email: info@marystreetpharmacy.ie
24 Hour Blood
Pressure Monitoring
Ask instore
Call
Mary Street Pharmacy
on 044 93 474 93

2 TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
THIS WEEK
PHOTOS
St. Brigid’s School gets a
little bit country!
ENTERTAINMENT
Final tickets on sale for
Life 2017
WEDDING
Wedding of Suzy Flynn
and James Breen
YOUR LOCAL NEWSROOM
WANTS TO HEAR FROM
YOU!
6 Dominick St., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
PHONE: 044-9348868
E-MAIL: NEWS@TOPIC.IE
Westmeath Topic is published by Topic Newspapers Ltd.,
6 Dominick Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
All general enquiries: +353-(0)44-9348868
Registered as a newspaper with the GPO, O’Connell St., Dublin 1.
All contents © 2016
Young family left homeless after fire
Contd. from page 1
the only house was out in Castletown
Finea, but they have no car or
any transport, and the two children,
John Joe (6) and Alison (5)
are in special classes in Presentation
Convent, Mullingar for speech
and language therapy.
“We would have to take the children
out of school for ten weeks -
the time I’ve been told it will take to
make the house fit to live in again,
if the work starts now on it - but we
can’t do that to them. How can I get
into the hospital from Finea?
“Mary Nevin asked us.
The said they had asked the
Council to put them in a B&B but
were told they could not do so.
The Nevin family, the picture of
whose home appeared on last
week’s Topic front page, explained
that just before 3.30pm on last Tuesday,
11 April they got a smell of
plastic or something burning.
“We thought it was upstairs, and
went up to look around the rooms,
and the children came up after us.
We found nothing, but when we
went out on the landing, there was
heavy smoke coming from under
the stairs, and we had to get down
past it,” Christopher Nevin told us.
“We were lucky, and thankful to
God we escaped with our lives, but
all we could save was some bits and
pieces, and we lost all our own
property,” Mr. Nevin said. “I suppose
I spent €5,000 or €6,000 I saved
on the house since we got it, and we
could get nothing done, like the
back yard shed,or anything else,
and we had just bought stuff for the
new baby, and we had got a new
cooker, and we’ve lost even our
clothes,” Christopher Nevin said.
“That’s why were staying here in
the Council offices until we’re put
out, Mr. Nevin said, pointing out
they were waiting for 3 hours
before anyone would see them,
untll after 2pm.
Mr. Nevin who showed a Topic
reporter the burned out furniture
in their backyard, following the
disastrous fire, and said they were
told the fire was from an electrical
fault and was accidental.
“I think it started under the
stairs, where we had the deep
freeze, which was full of food,” he
explained, showing us the badly
burned fridge, which appeared to
have a burned area under the metal
DID IT START HERE? - Christopher Nevin thinks the fire could
have started in their deep freeze, as the top part inside was
burned.
top cover - as if the fire could have
opriginated there, but they don’t
know.
“All we know is that we’re in real
trouble, without anywhere to live. I
offered to sleep in a tent, if the
Council would find a place for my
wife and two children, after I told
them about her pregnancy, but we
were offered nothing, and told
nothing was available.”
How can so many strangers come
in to Mullingar and be given a place
to live, or put up somewhere, but
local people like us are just
ignored?” he asked. “Its not fair,
and I went down on my knees, to
ask the Council to help us, but all
they’ve done so far is treat us as if
we caused the fire, or didn’t need
any help.”
Mrs. Nevin said she was fearful
after being warned that if they
moved a caravan into the backyard,
they could lose their home completely.
“I don’t know what we’ll do, but
its a big worry to me now,” she told
the editor of Topic on Tuesday
shortly before 4pm, as he was leaving
the Council offices.
The Editor of Topic rang the
Council housing offices on Tuesday
morning before 10am, and successively
rang again, and left a message
and phone number, but
without any response, and just
before going to press, visited the
Council offices, and sought,unsuccessfully,
to speak to the Westmeath
Co. Council housing officer, to get
the Council’s viewpoint on the
plight of the Nevin family.
Eventually at 3.50pm, we were
told by a Council official from the
Housing office that the only person
who could help the media or speak
to them was Billy Coughlan, their
Information officer.
We were aware of the Council’s
approach, but as it normally takes
several days to obtain a reply
through Mr. Coughlan, who has to
consult beforehand with officials,
to give an official reply, we felt we
needed to make a direct approach.
Also, the Council offices were
closed on Friday evening and
closed on Monday, so not until
Tuesday morning, did we have any
opportunity to seek a comment.
We hope to publish the Council’s
views next week.
“SETTLED NEIGHBOURS GREAT”
Christopher Nevin praised the
great help they got from their
neighbours as well as from his
brother and others, when the fire
broke out. “They all tried to help
any way they could, but we could
only get a few bits out, and the
Brigade took nearly half an hour to
reach us,” he explained. “We are
very happy at how much help we
got from Jamie and John Rhattigan,
Jason Matthews, Michael and
Rose Rowley, Martin and Jamie,
Michael and Patrick Nevin and all
the others, I can’t recall them all,
but everyone helped us during the
fire” he said. I have no insurance
on my property, so I’ve lost everything,
and we’re nothing for the
baby we’re expecting.”
Investigation under way by Westmeath GAA
Westmeath GAA is continuing to investigate an incident
which took place in a Mullingar hotel in the early
hours of Monday, 10 April. Westmeath County Board
Chairman, Sean Sheridan issued a statement on
Wednesday, 12 April, in relation to the controversy.
The statement read: “A member of the Westmeath
senior football panel was involved in an incident in
the early hours of Monday morning, 10 April. The
County Executive are conducting a full and thorough
Two arrested after significant
drugs find in Ballynacargy
Gardaí have discovered what has been
described as ‘significant amounts of drugs’ following
the search of a car and then the search of
a house in the Ballynacargy area.
The discovery began on Friday, 14 April, when
a Gardaí stopped and searched a car that two
men were travelling in. Gardaí discovered a
quantity of what is believed to be cannabis herb
and a quantity of heroin in the vehicle. Two
men who were in the car were arrested.
A follow up search of a house in the Ballynacargy
area on Saturday, 15 April, led to the
discovery of what Gardaí believe maybe ‘a significant
amount of cocaine’.
Both men arrested are local to the Ballynacargy
area. One of the men was charged and
appeared at Athlone Court on Sunday, 16 April.
The second man was bailed and is expected to
appear in court on Friday, 28 April.
investigation into the incident and will take whatever
action is appropriate when all the facts have been
established.”
Mr Sheridan is currently on holiday as is senior
football team manager, Tom Cribbin, but the matter is
set to be discussed early next week.
Separately, it is understood there has been disciplinary
action against members of the under 21 hurling
panel following an incident in Ennis.
House in Abbeylands set on fire
Gardaí in Mullingar are investigating an incident in which
a house in Abbeylands, Mullingar, was set on fire. The house
has been unoccupied for some time but it caught fire at
approximately 5pm on Saturday last, 15 April.
It is understood the house, number 75 Abbeylands, has not
been occupied for a number of years and that this is the
third time it has been set on fire since it has been vacant. The
fire began upstairs and the roof of the house quickly caught
fire. The Fire Service attended the scene but it is believed the
house has been damaged beyond repair. The house is situated
close to the C-Link road and a number of youths were
seen running away from the building a short time before it
caught fire. Thankfully nobody was injured in the fire.
The scene was preserved and examined by Garda technical
experts.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed
anyone in the vicinity of the house at the time or anyone
who knows any information about how the fire started to
contact them at Mullingar Garda Station or phone them on
044-9384000.
Crime
Youths throwing items
at cars a serious danger
for motorists
Gardaí are concerned at a situation
that has developed along the
C-Link Road, close to Ardleigh in
Mullingar. It is believed a number
of youths have been throwing
items at passing cars and this has
become a very serious issue.
On Tuesday of last week, 11
April at 7.55pm, a woman was driving
past in her car when her passenger
door was struck by a rock
which was thrown at her car. The
woman was fortunate not to be
injured.
Then, five minutes later, at 8pm,
a man reported that a branch of a
tree had been thrown at his passing
car and that the door of his
vehicle had been damaged.
Gardaí are continuing their
investigations into these ongoing
serious issues.
Trailer stolen
An air light cattle trailer was
stolen from outside a house in
Rochfortbridge between 10pm
and 11.15pm on Wednesday, 12
April. The trailer is valued at
€2,000.
Burglary in Ballynacargy
A fast food premises was broken
into in Ballynacargy between
11am on Monday, 10 April and
5.30pm on Tuesday, 11 April. The
burglar broke in through the rear
window of a house attached to the
fast food premises and gained
entry through the house, before
getting away with a small amount
of coins and number of soft
drinks.
Break-in at Castlepollard
Hurling Club
Castlepollard Hurling Club on
the Pakenhamhall Road, Castlepollard,
was broken into between
12 midnight and 11.30am on
Wednesday, 12 April. The padlocks
of the clubhouse were cut
open and a drum of oil was
removed. The drum of oil was left
on the nearby pitch after some of
the oil had been spilled onto the
pitch and the padlocks were also
found nearby as well.
The break-in came just a couple
of weeks after Ringtown Hurling
Club in Whitehall, Castlepollard,
was also broken into.
Man arrested in
Rochfortbridge
A man, who was refused service
in a bar in Main Street, Rochfortbridge,
was subsequently
arrested. The man was refused
service in the bar at 8.45pm on
Thursday, 13 April, but when leaving,
he broke a window of the
premises. Gardaí arrived on the
scene and arrested him and
charged him.
Car damaged in Grange
A block was thrown through the
window of a car which was
parked in the driveway of a house
in Grange, Mullingar, on Wednesday,
12 April between 2am and
3am. It is understood this is the
third time this particular victim
has been targetted and Gardaí are
investigating CCTV cameras in
the area.
Theft from Mullingar
Arts Centre
A man who was spotted stealing
items from a table in the
Mullingar Arts Centre was
quickly apprehended by Gardaí.
On Wednesday, 12 April at
12.40pm, a man took some items
that were lying on a table in the
Arts Centre but he was quickly
captured and brought to
Mullingar Garda Station.

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
Great joy for local syndicate at Fairyhouse
There were scenes of
great celebration in the
winners enclosure
when Killaro Boy
landed the two-mile
four furlong Novice
Chase at Fairyhouse on
Easter Sunday. Trained
by Rathowen man
Adrian Murray, the
eight year old chestnut
gelding produced a
game display of jumping
on good ground to
win by nine and a half
lengths.
With competent seven
pound claimer, Barry
Browne on board, Killaro
Boy produced an eye-catching
display to scoop the top
prize in the Agnelli Motor
Park Rated Novice Steeplechase,
worth €10,472 to the
winner. Owned by the late
Johnny Kerrigan, John
Victory and the Penrose
girls, the improving
national hunt star powered
up the home straight in
fine style to win emphatically
and was returned at
odds of 6/1, denying the
two joint favourites in the
process.
Winning trainer, Adrian
Murray from Rathowen
was thrilled with the success.
“I’m delighted,” he
beamed afterwards.
“He did it well; I knew
turning for home he wasn’t
going to be denied. It was
his best display of jumping
so far; he jumped brilliantly.
He won on good
ground in a point-to-point
first time out and that
ground really suits him,”
he added.
Jockey Barry Browne
said it was a straightforward
win on board the progressive
jumper.
“He was a bit keen over
the first few fences and he
got his own way in front
and jumped brilliantly. I
won a point-to-point on
him, so I knew him well,”
he remarked.
It was a proud and emotional
day for the family of
the late Johnny Kerrigan,
Slanemore, Mullingar, one
of the three owners of the
talented jumping star. RTE
pundit Ted Walsh was
quick to pay tribute to
Johnny and his good
friend, the late Cecil Ross,
who were terrific supporters
of national hunt racing
for many years and
Johnny’s wife Von and two
children, Kieran and Alice
were among the many people
celebrating in the winners
enclosure.
Killaro Boy had won his
previous race in Gowran
Park, beating The Gatecatcher,
and he really
quickened well on the good
ground last Sunday, leaving
the 12 rivals in his wake.
Andrew McNamara noted
that there may be bigger
times ahead for the improving
jumper, who clearly relishes
the fast ground.
The three owners all
brought plenty of supporters
and a bus load travelled
from Ballynacargy to support
the winner on the day.
There were great celebrations
afterwards and it will
(Above) Katie Penrose,
Michael O'Leary and
Niamh Penrose,
pictured at the
Fairyhouse races on
easter Sunday where
Killaro Boy was
successful.
(Right) Killaro Boy and
Barry Browne come
back after winning
"The Agnelli Motor
Park Rated Novice
Chase" at Fairyhouse.
now be left to Adrian Murray
to decide the next move
for Killaro Boy, but he is
clearly one to keep a close
eye on.
NEWS
TOPIC.IE
999c PER WEEK
3

4 NEWS
IN BRIEF
New Wheelchair
entrance for
Mullingar Train
Station
Mullingar Train Station
will soon have the welcome
new addition of a wheelchair
accessible entrance
to the island platform
meaning wheelchair users
can now easily gain access.
Speaking to a spokesperson
from the station, Topic was
told that the entrance
would be open in time to
coincide with the facility’s
new timetable.
The spokesperson said
that work on the new
entrance had been ongoing
for the last 12 months.
An Iarnród Éireann representative
said that the
new entrance would be
open within a matter of
weeks. “Currently the situation
is that if there is a
wheelchair user on board a
train, we bring the train
across so they can use the
other platform to make it
accessible. Where we have
a situation is where we
have two trains crossing at
the same time and both
have a wheelchair user on
board but now this problem
has been eliminated by this
new access that will be
open within weeks.”
Auction this Sunday
at Carmelite
Centre in Moate
THIS Sunday, 23 April,
sees the return of an event
that has become a firm
favourite of bargain
hunters right around south
Westmeath.
The Carmelite auction
takes place on Sunday
afternoon in the Pastoral
Centre in Moate and with
more than a hundred lots to
bid for, there is something
for everyone.
Fr. Jaison Kuthanapillil,
Carmelite Prior said that
the generosity of donations
this year has defied all
expectations, so that there
are some genuine bargains
up for grabs for the clever
bidder!
The annual auction is
fundraiser for the
Carmelite Church, to help
defray heating costs and
other costs in maintaining
the church.
The auction gets underway
from 2 pm but bidders
can view items from early
afternoon. Lots include
household furniture, accessories,
garden equipment,
ornaments and tableware,
fuel and plenty more
besides. All donations are
of a very high quality with
many local businesses having
donated some very
attractive items for the auction.
TOPIC.IE
99C
PER WEEK
Marian Darby, Lisa Darby, Dolores Darby and Eileen Glynn voiced their
concerns about the strike action at Bus Éireann.
AFTER a chaotic three
weeks, Bus Éireann services
returned to normal
last Friday after
more than 2,500 workers
at the company
went on strike on 24
March.
They are now to be asked
to vote on recommendations
on redundancies, pay
structures and reform of
their duties and management,
which were issued by
the Labour Court. It is not
yet known if staff will
accept the proposals, but
the action to date has
already led to an estimated
loss of €500,000 a day.
Overall the transport row
cost traders, the company
and workers an estimated
€100million, while staff are
down €7million in wages
and the company lost more
than €10million.
With arrangements for
meetings of members and
the ballot due to be
announced in the coming
days, Topic took the street
to find out how much the
strike had effected locals.
PROBLEMS GETTING
FROM AIRPORT
One young woman, Lisa
Darby, said that the action
had resulted in general
confusion for many people
who were trying to get from
A to B. “It was very difficult
for my friends to get
down from the airport last
Saturday. They had to get
their parents to book tickets
for them and they were
waiting for hours. Just to
get down from Dublin was
very difficult.”
COLLEGE
Student Meghan Ayers
was in agreement saying
the strike impacted on her
ability to get to her classes
at Maynooth University on
time. “Going to college up
and down, I had to get the
train but the train station
is the other side of town,
whereas the bus was just
across from my house.
Even the trains don’t go at
the same times so it has
been a bit of a pain. The
bus was so handy-it’s been
annoying.”
She said that she felt the
three week strike had been
excessive and had resulted
in further losses for the
insolvent company. “I think
there should have been
Martha and Laquitta Dunne voiced their views on
the three week strike.
some sort of limit to it
because how can they come
back from the money they
have lost on strike if they
are losing €500,000 a day?
They are already in debt
and that was the reason
they were going on strike
and now they are losing
that much money a day, I
can’t see them coming back
from that.”
She said that any further
industrial action for Bus
Éireann was likely to result
in their customers moving
towards private services. “I
got a private bus, Kearns,
to Kinnegad and then I had
to get a lift from Kinnegad
to Mullingar, but I reckon
that the private buses will
extend themselves because
they will get the business if
Bus Éireann is not running
and they will start going to
Mullingar. They are more
reliable.”
UNREALISITC
Reena Milmoe said that
the action had resulted in
the disruption of the lives
of many of the most vulnerable
people in society.
“I feel sorry for people who
aren’t able to travel to hospital
appointments or their
jobs have been effected
because they can’t get to
work if they are living here
in Mullingar and travelling
up and then there are students.”
She continued that while
she could see both sides of
the dispute, she felt that the
Student Meghan Ayers has
found it difficult to get to and
from lectures due to the strike.
drivers were unrealistic in
their expectations. “I do
think they are looking for
too much, especially when
you take other jobs where
people are getting minimum
wage, which has only
gone up very slightly since
the last budget. So you have
to balance the two- why are
they getting more than, for
example, people who work
in hotels, restaurants, cafés
etc. I think that the Luas
drivers were looking for a
bit too much as well and I
know obviously that is a
private company. I feel that
Bus Éireann saw that they
got what they wanted by
going on strike and followed
suit.”
SKELETON STAFF
Her husband Christy Milmoe
said he believed the
workers should have supplied
a skeleton staff to
accommodate those that
depend on the service for
college or work. “Those
who felt the biggest impact
are people trying to get in
and out to work as well as
students. If they were
going to strike, I think they
should have put on a certain
amount of buses that
would accommodate students.
They have to get
their education and are
likely to fall behind in
studying and maybe even
miss exams.”
POOR MANAGEMENT
Helen Hunt shared a similar
view adding that she
believed the strike was a
result of poor management.
“You have the drivers
that are expected to
take all the cuts but those
at the top are not leading by
example. I think there is so
much frustration out there.
They had to do something,
it’s just unfortunate that
it’s having a negative
impact on the most vulnerable
in society. If the Minister
for Transport Shane
Ross can’t sort it out then
what is the point of having
a Minister for Transport.”
SHANE ROSS
Emer Coyne also said
that she believed students
felt the absence of the service
more than any other
group. “My view is that it
was a pity that it went on as
long as it did. I think an
awful lot of people, particularly
students coming from
Dublin would have been
effected especially this
time of year when they are
doing exams.”
“I really did feel that
Shane Ross could have
been a little more proactive.
I think a lot of it had
to do with the fact that it
effected people in the country
and didn’t really effect
people in Dublin. As a bus
driver they have a lot of
responsibility and I feel
that they should be paid a
lot more than minimum
wage particularly down the
country where they do a lot
more than drive buses and
seem to have a key role in
helping people in the community
like the elderly and
the disabled.”
TWO SIDES
Steve Ennis said that he
believed the drivers had
reason to strike and
“shouldn’t just roll over
and do what they are
told”regarding the initial
proposals that were put to
them. “I suppose there is
two sides to the story but I
would be with the drivers.
As a Minister, Shane Ross
is doing as much as any
Minister would from any
other party so I couldn’t see
an issue there however I
think he should have
stepped in to get them
together a long before.
Their beef would be that all
other unions are getting
pay rises like the Gards and
the train drivers so I suppose
they would feel that
they are entitled to good
pay as well but instead it
was cut.”
He said that he believed
that if the Bus Éireann is
replaced by a private service,
it would not neccessarily
be a bad thing.
“Maybe that’s the idea
behind the whole thing and
why Bus Éireann have
refused to come to the
table. A private service
might make things cheaper.
Competition is always
good.”
Another student that
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
Reena and Christie Milmoe voiced their
opinions on the Bus Éireann strikes.
BACK ON THE ROAD...FOR NOW
Locals give their views on Bus Éireann strike action
Joesph Hunt, Helen Hunt and Collette Eades pictured at Harbour Place
Shopping Centre.
Topic spoke to said that
when the Irish Rail joined
the strike. “I get trains to
and from college in
Maynooth and they were
cancelled when they went
on strike with the buses
two Fridays in a row and I
missed a lot of mandatory
attendance classes. I had a
few friends who do take the
bus and they were worried
that they would miss
exams and I had one who
actually did miss one but
the lecturer let her away
with it. You understand
that they have to take a
stand but it has has caused
an awful lot of trouble.”
Antoinette Cullen agreed
saying that many of her
friend’s commute had been
disrupted. “I think it has
been unfair on students.
You have to get to college
and do your assignments
and when you have no
transport you are missing
out on attendance which
effects your SUSI grant. It’s
fairly hard to catch up on. I
have friends going to
Maynooth and they couldn’t
even get from Kinnegad
to Maynooth. There was no
buses going from
Mullingar to Athlone as
well and I know people who
were left without transport
even though they had paid
for their week’s pass.”
Bus Éireann workers
have returned to work,
pending a ballot in the coming
weeks.

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
IN BRIEF
Ballinagore Macra
Ballinagore Macra are
having a Charity Tractor
& Vintage Car Run on Sunday,
30 April in aid of
LARCC Cancer Support
Sanctuary. Cost of entry is
€25 with registration at
10.30am and the run will
start at 11.30am from Ballinagore
GAA Grounds.
There will be a barbecue,
raffle and refreshments on
the day. Both the charity
and the club would greatly
appreciate your support.
BirdWatch
Westmeath
Ireland
AGM
Our AGM takes place on
Thursday, 20 April at 8pm
in Bloomfield House Hotel,
Mullingar. Committee
members are asked to
attend for 7.15pm.
SAINTS ISLAND
Our outing to Saints
Island is taking place on
Saturday, 22 April, as per
the last email update.
Meeting point is Saint's
Matthew's National School
Ballymahon - which as at
the Lanesboro end of the
town past the Catholic
Church and Topaz Petrol
Station - the school is on
the left hand side of the
road.) We will depart from
here at 10.45am at the latest.
Trócaire boxes
Trócaire has thanked
people from Co. Westmeath
for supporting its
2017 Lenten campaign,
which came to an end last
week. The organisation is
reminding people that Trócaire
boxes can be
returned to parishes
across the county.
To find out more about
Trócaire’s Lenten campaign
or to make a donation
visit trocaire.org or
call 1850 408 408.
Lecture on politics
For anyone interested in
local politics over the past
115 years, next week’s
illustrated lecture in the
Greville Arms Hotel, on 27
April is definitely a must.
Mullingar man, Bill Ryan,
for many years based in
Castlepollard, and a
retired teacher, is also a
keen political and local
historian, and follows in
the footsteps of the late
Micheál Conlon in this
regard, keeping up a great
tradition.
Bill will speak on
“National Politics in Westmeath
1885 to 2000” and
illustrate it with many
slides, in the Greville
Arms at 8pm on Thursday,
27 April. It should be a
most fascinating talk, covering
the most interesting,
controversial and violent
periods in political history
locally. His lecture also
deals with the more recent
decades, up to 2000, when
the Long Count and the
Presidential resignation
and various other political
‘incidents’ in Mullingar
and Westmeath also hit the
national headlines.
NEWS
Mullingar boxer Davy Oliver
Joyce turns professional
BY PAUL O’DONOVAN
Mullingar boxer Davy Oliver
Joyce has this week announced
that he has turned professional.
Joyce, who boxed at the Rio
Olympics at the 60Kg weight,
announced on Monday of this
week that he was signing a professional
contract with the wellknown
MTK (Mack The Knife)
Boxing Promotions.
Since last year’s Olympics, Joyce
has taken a holiday and then spent
time in Philadelphia in America
where he looked into the whole
professional scene and spoke to
many people about his choices.
Joyce then returned home and considered
his options before officially
announcing he was turning’pro’.
On Monday, Davy released a statement
saying, “I’m happy to
announce that I have turned professional
with MTK. I am now officially
a professional boxer. I want
to thank the IABA and the Irish
Sports Council for all their help
down through the years. I would
also like to thank my coach
Dominic O’Rourke and my good pal
5
Eddie Bolger for their support over
the years”.
Speaking to Topic this week Davy
Oliver said, “I’m delighted I have
made the decision. This is something
I’ve always wanted to do. I
did all I could at amateur, then I
went on to the WSB, APB, and the
Olympics, so the time is right now
to turn professional.”
In signing for MTK Boxing Promotions
Joyce will joining up with
Irish professionals Paddy Barnes
and Michael Conlon, and the
Mullingar man is already looking
forward to his first professional
fight.
“I hope to announce details of my
first professional fight in the next
couple of weeks. I’m not sure when
it will be yet, but it looks like it
could be in Belfast.
I’ve been watching the pro ranks
for some time now and I’m aware
of some of the boxers, but I just
want to get into that ring and prove
how good I am. I’m very ambitious
and I believe I can be fighting for a
world title fight in the next two or
three years,” said Joyce, who will
be fighting at the 60Kg weight.
LEFT: David Oliver Joyce celebrates after beating Volkan
Gokcek, Turkey, in their Men's Lightweight 60kg Box-Off bout
in April 2016.
Local students win top prizes in Texaco art competition
Nicole Forster (15), from Wilson's Hospital School,
Multyfarnham, is a winner in this year's 63rd Texaco
Children's Art Competition. She is pictured with her
prizewinning work entitled ‘Portrait Of My Dad’.
€16,500 for Temple
Street Foundation
MEMBERS of the Dixon family, Killucan, who recently held a Tractor Run to
raise funds for Temple Street Hospital, travelled to Dublin on Tuesday morning, to
present their cheque for €16,576.68c to the Temple Street Foundation - their fund
raising division. Ger Donnellan on behalf of Temple Street Hospital, is pictured
(right) receiving the cheque from the Westmeath donors.
Pictured in Temple Street Foundation t-shirts are Ryan Dixon, who was a patient
in Temple Street’s ICU with meningitis and Tadhg, who is a current patient in the
hospital, visiting St. Michael’s C Ward. Pictured, left to right are John Dixon, Lisa
Wilson, Ger Donnellan, Aisling Dixon and Sheila Dixon.
Xier Lin (7), from St. Mary's Primary School, Mullingar, is a winner
in this year's 63rd Texaco Children's Art Competition. She is
pictured with her prizewinning work entitled ‘Sweet Cherries’
alongside her father Bin Lin and mother Xiao Ying.
FIVE Westmeath students have
won top prizes in this year’s 63rd
Texaco Children’s Art Competition.
In the 14-15 years age category,
third prize (€250) went to Nicole
Forster (15), from Wilson's Hospital
School, Multyfarnham, for her
work entitled ‘Portrait Of My Dad’
while first prize (€350) in the 12-13
years age category went to Amy
Zhao (12), from Scoil Na gCeithre
Máistrí, Athlone, for her self-portrait
study. Third prize (€125 Art &
Hobby gift voucher) in the 7-8 years
age category was won by Xier Lin
(7), from St. Mary's Primary School,
Mullingar, for a work entitled
‘Sweet Cherries’.
Other winners from Westmeath,
both of whom will receive a Special
Merit Award, are Emily Rose
McHugh (11) and James McHugh
(6), from Scoil Mhuire Loughegar
National School, Mullingar.
Prizes will be presented at an
awards ceremony in Dublin next
month, when all of the 126 top
prize-winners will be in attendance.

6 NEWS
TOPIC • 20 March, 2017
COUNCIL NEWS
MULLINGAR MUNICIPAL DISTRICT MEETING
Monday, 10 April
Council received almost 70
complaints of abandoned
cars in 2016
THE April meeting of Mullingar Municipal District was
told that 68 complaints were received last year about abandoned
cars.
Cllr. Johnny Penrose asked how many cars had been
removed and was told that of the 65 owners removed or
relocated vehicles but that this action was taken only
when they were contacted by the Community Wardens.
In some cases, warning letters had been issued and the
wardens are continuing to follow up on the three pending
cases of abandoned cars.
Cllr. Penrose welcomed the fact that action was taken to
follow up on the 68 complaints.
Property owner must
repair fence damaged
by burned out car
A property owner whose
fence was damaged
recently in an incident
involving a burned out car
may have to shoulder the
costs of repairs to the
boundary, it was learned at
the April meeting of
Mullingar Municipal District.
The boundary fence at a
property in the Kilbeggan
area was damaged when a
car was burned out and
local councillor Liam
McDaniel asked the Executive
if repairs could be carried
out to the fence.
The Director of Services
Martin Murray told Cllr.
McDaniel that boundary
issues are the concerns and
responsibility of the
landowner.
Westmeath has too
many out dated signs
Cllr. Michael Dollard
OUTDATED, obtrusive
and misleading, the public
signs in parts of the county
leave a lot to be desired,
according to one frustrated
local representative, who
asked that Mullingar
Municipal District carries
out an audit on the condition
of road signage.
Cllr. Liam McDaniel said
that he has come across
many signs that are obsolete,
missing entirely in
some cases or despoiled by
vulgar vandalism.
He tabled a motion at the
April meeting of the
Municipal District to ask
that signs be upgraded,
cleaned or removed. He
said that an audit of the
public signs and the condition
they are in is urgently
required.
In agreement of his
motion was Cllr. Michael
Dollard, who said that the
council need to take stock
of the signs right around
the area.
“Vandalised or hard to
read signs send a very negative
message to visitors
coming to the area. Some
signs are still in place that
are now out of date. A full
review is needed,” he said.
Director of Services Martin
Murray told the
monthly meeting that obsolete
signs have been acted
upon and he said that he
acknowledged the point
about a small percentage of
signage not being up to
standard. These will be
dealt with, he assured the
meeting.
SITUATION VACANT
CASUAL LABOURER
required for
gardening/light farmwork
Mullingar area.
Please contact
086 245 9235
Intimidation and fear spreading as
a result of antisocial behaviour
Calls for CCTV to be installed at Springfield tunnel
CALLS for the installation
of cameras at
Springfield tunnel to
deter the rising number
of anti social
activities were made
at the monthly meeting
of Mullingar
Municipal District.
Upon being told that
there are no proposals at
the moment to develop a
CCTV system at this location,
the members of the
Municipal District highlighted
the intimidation
felt by many as antisocial
behaviour is on the
increase.
The original motion was
tabled by Cllr. Bill Collentine,
asking for the cameras
to be put in place.
The Fianna Fáil councillor
said that antisocial
behaviour is a real problem
and the cameras would
be a deterrent to offenders.
“Is there no possibility of
placing cameras here even
temporarily. There is a
serious problem building
up,” he said.
Martin Murray, Director
of Services said that antisocial
behaviour was a
matter for the Gardai.
Cllr. Collentine insisted
that gardai could not be
present in this location 24
Review of uncut hedges
needed - McDermott
THE number of uncut
hedges in the Mullingar
area needs to be reviewed
by the local authority,
according to Cllr. Frank
McDermott.
Speaking at the April
meeting of Mullingar
Municipal District, Cllr.
McDermott also highlighted
the lack of compliance
on the part of some
landowners.
“Some people will not
obey the notices and will
the council not take action
themselves?” he asked.
Martin Murray, Director
of Services informed the
meeting that 1,340 Hedge
Cutting Notices were
issued between September
2016 and february 2017. The
vast majority of the hedges
have been cut.
The members of
Mullingar Municipal
Council were informed
during their monthly meeting
on Monday, 10 April by
Martin Murray, Director of
Services with Westmeath
County Council that at present
a proposal for a 12 unit
social housing scheme in
Rochfortbridge is being
processed by the local
“We have found a great
compliance but we have
powers if we feel a hedge is
posing a threat to road
safety,” Mr. Murray added.
“The problem is that
many people live outside of
the area,” said Cllr. McDermott
of the instances of
non-compliance.
He heard that while the
council can take remedial
action to deal with overgrown
hedges where necessary,
recoupment of the
costs involved is a complicated
and often fraught
process.
The instances of hedges
not cut in accordance with
the notices issued this year
will be followed up with
landowners in September
of this year.
authority.
The subject of housing
was tabled in a motion by
Cllr. Johnny Penrose, who
asked if the Municipal District
would supply details
of the available land bank
for housing in Rochfortbridge.
Mr. Murray told the meeting
that the council has a
.29 hectare site at
UP to seventy Residents’ Associations around
the county received grants funding last year, it
was confirmed to Councillor Michael Dollard
this month. There is more good news for the
voluntary groups this year as the minimum
Cllr. Frank McDermott.
SOCIAL HOUSING SCHEME FOR
ROCHFORTBRIDGE COULD DELIVER 12 UNITS
Castlepark, Rochfortbridge,
which could accommodate
8 units.
He said that the council is
aware of a proposal being
progressed by an approved
housing body for a 12 unit
social housing scheme.
The update was welcomed
by Cllr. Penrose who
thanked the Executive for
the thorough response.
amount that can be awarded by the local
authority has now increased.
Cllr. Dollard asked the question as to how
many groups have received funding at 2016 at
the April meeting of the Mullingar Municipal
hours a day and that action
needs to be taken.
Cllr. Michael Dollard
agreed and said that he
was aware of elderly people
living close by who feel
very intimidated.
“There was a very serious
incident at Springfield
recently and the first question
asked when it was
being investigated was if
there was CCTV footage. It
will always work and act as
a deterrent,” said Cllr. Dollard.
Cllr. Una D’Arcy told that
meeting that drone cameras
had been very effective
in deterring fly tipping
and illegal dumping. She
said that the activity of
some is causing vulnerable
people to feel unsafe even
in their homes.
Cllr. D’Arcy also wondered
if the Municipal District
could ask the
Planning refusal figures
in Westmeath “seem
excessive” - Dollard
FURTHER information is
being sought on a total of 51
planning applications
brought before Westmeath
County Council in the first
quarter of this year. In all,
seven applications have
been refused in the came
period, while 43 have been
granted.
The figures were supplied
by the Executive to the
April meeting of Mullingar
Municipal District, following
a query from Labour
Councillor, Michael Dollard.
“That figure of 51 seems
excessive. It seems to me
that we should be actively
Superintendent for
Mullingar how many applications
were made for
ASBOs in this district.
Cllr. Andrew Duncan said
that the use of dummy
cameras could be explored
as a means of discouraging
unwanted activity.
“For the most part, these
are children and their
behaviour can be turned
around,’ he said.
“When it comes to this
type of thing, community
policing is something I
would like to see
resourced.”
Mr. Murray said that
given the concerns of the
members, the issue can be
brought before the Joint
Policing Committee and
that this was the best
means of progressing a
solution.
encouraging people to bring
applications,” said Cllr. Dollard,
having reviewed the
statistics.
Martin Murray, Director
of Services with Westmeath
County Council told Cllr.
Dollard that sometimes
applications come before
the local authority with an
agricultural nature, but not
all of the pertinent information
is included in the application.
In other cases, there
has been a lack of pre planning
meetings and seeking
further information is necessary
before a final decision
on the application can
be reached.
No repairs for
Glenidan cul de sac
THERE is no joy for six residents living along a cul de
sac in Glenidan as no repairs will be carried out by Westmeath
County Council to the road in this area.
The road is not a public road and therefore will not be
repaired by the local authority, though Cllr. Una D’Arcy
made an appeal at the April meeting of Mullingar
Municipal District for consideration to be given to this
work.
“I know we don’t normally do this but there are six
homes on this road and could it be done as a one off gesture?”
Cllr. D’Arcy asked but was informed that council
policy would not be altered.
“I’m afraid we have to be careful about public/private
schemes,” replied Martin Murray, Director of Services.
Grants awarded to 70 Residents’ Associations in Westmeath
District and was told that seventy groups have
received grants awards of between €50 and
€250.
The €50 minimum has now increased for this
year, which was welcomed by Cllr. Dollard.

TOPIC • 20 March, 2017
NEWS
7
Full steam ahead for documentary
featuring Mullingar and Royal Canal
MORAN’S pub at the
Hill of Down became
the perfect backdrop
for TV3’s latest docuseries
Jingle Jangle
recently.
The six-part series, due to
air in September of this
year promises to be a musical
journey along the Royal
Canal, celebrating 200 years
since the canal first opened.
As part of the show music
legends Jim Lockhart from
the Horslips, Fiachna Ó
Braonain of the Hot House
Flowers and Fiach Moriarty
take their music to the
water as they take the journey
from Croke Park to
Shannon on a beautifully
painted barge boat.
Along the journey the
musicians, as well as the
Dearg Films filming crew
have collaborated with
other musical acts such as
Niamh Farrell of Ham
Fiach Moriarty, Jim Lockhart and Fiachna Ó Braonain at the Kilpatrick stretch
of the Royal Canal for the filming of Jingle Jangle.
Sandwich, Finbar Furey of
the Furey Brothers and
most recently they jammed
outside Moran’s pub with
musical duo The Lost
Brothers. “There’ll be
thirty performances, and
thirty guest performers,”
said Brian Reddin, director
of Dearg Films and the
brains behind the concept.
For Jim Lockhart the guest
performances have been
the highlight of his time so
far on the project “It’s a
constant surprise and the
locations are just extraordinary.
Everywhere there is
huge variety from both a
musical and location context.
Texas native climbs Croagh
Patrick for Easter week
DURING Easter week,
people across the
country put on their
walking shoes to take
part in walking pilgrim
paths which
wind across parts of
the country.
Among them this year
was a young woman from
the US who has spent the
last several weeks working
as a reporter at the Westmeath
Topic.
“I’ve been here for three
months since the end of
January and have been living
in Westmeath for all of
that time and I have been
travelling around Ireland
and seeing all the beautiful
places, Pilgrimage sites
and historical sites.”
Kathryn Carranco said.
Hailing from the Mexican
border, the 22-year-old said
she has always had very
strong faith. “Where I live,
the Mexian culture is very
strong and there is a great
Catholic faith in Mexico
which is my connection to
Ireland and in many ways,
it is why I wanted to come
here.”
Kathryn said that she
decided to climb and take
part in the Croagh Patrick
Pilgrimage after being told
about it by a friend. “I
never climbed a mountain
for a Pilgrimage and had
never actually heard of
that. Someone told me that
St. Patrick had done so in
his bare feet and stayed
there for forty nights and I
thought, ‘Well, if he can do
that, I can do it once at
least”, she laughed.
I thought it would be a
great experience before I
leave on Tuesday next
week.”
Kathryn was accompanied
by three friends who
hail from Milltownpass
where she is staying.
“Colm and Pauric Beglan
and Kevin Glennon came
with me and this year
marked Kevin and Colm’s
10th anniversary climbing
Croagh Patrick so they
decided to do it in their
bare feet just like the old
pilgrims did. I was behind
them saying the rosary the
whole way up and down. It
took a long time.”
She said that while the
day got off to a good start,
it wasn’t long before the
weather turned colder.
“When we got to that last
bend at the top it started
getting really cold and
misty and when we were
leaving it started lashing
rain. I had shoes on and I
was bundled up and I was
cold so they were really suffering.”
Kathryn said the experience
of reaching the top is
one she wouldn’t forget for
a long time. “I felt very
blessed to get to the top.
There was loads of people
there too. It was touching
to see so many people look
at the lads and say they
would get many graces for
walking in their bare feet
and say ‘good job’. It was
moving.”
She said climbing the
mountain is very symbolic
Colm Beglin, Kathryn Carranco, Padraig Beglin and Kevin Glennon pictured
on the summit of Croagh Patrick last weekend.
of the trials and tribulations
everyone faces
throughout their lives.
“The whole time I was
thinking, “my legs are
killing me” but I told
myself to keep going and I
got to the top and felt so
blessed. The lads told me
they once saw a 90-year-old
man climbing the mountain
barefoot. I though if he
can do that, surely I can do
it with my shoes on.”
So would she do it again?
“Definitely. One day before
I die, I would like to do it
without my shoes as well. I
come from a very religious
background and it is
penance and we don’t know
how beautiful it can be to
sacrifice that way especially
for other people. One
of the lads asked for a special
intention from back
home and he carried it
with him and that’s why I
was praying for him the
whole way down because
he is carrying my pain so it
was really great staying
with him even though I was
really cold.”
Kathryn said she has
greatly enjoyed her time at
Topic and her time living
in Westmeath . “With all
my heart I really have. It
has been a beautiful opportunity
to really get to know
the people of Mullingar
and Westmeath and to see
what life is like here in a
small town in Ireland. I
have travelled a lot to many
countries but Ireland definitely
has genuinely very
nice people. You stop someone
on the road and ask for
directions and they say
‘thank you’ and ‘you’re welcome’.
People genuinely
want to help and they like
conversation. Ireland is
beautiful.”
The Hill of Down was one
of the many locations of
the shoot but for cameraman
Gerry MacArthur, it
was definitely “one of the
greatest points on the trip.”
The presenters and main
musicians Jim, Fiachna
and Fiach put on a musical
showcase in front of
Moran’s pub Hill of Down
and a crowd began to form
to watch the three ages of
rock in action.
Last month, the trio visited
Mullingar where they
performed a number of
songs, including covers of
the late, great Joe Dolan,
accompanied by talented
local band Cronin at
Dolan’s Bar. The band are
among several high profile
artists already signed up to
take part in the show
including John Sheahan of
The Dubliners, Brian
Kennedy, Paddy Maloney,
The Chieftains, Mary
• MASSIVE SELECTION OF THE EVER POPULAR
KIA SPORTAGE 2012 - 171 MODELS
• HUGE SELECTION OF THE KIA RIO, CEED AND
OPTIMA 2012 - 171 MODELS
• A GREAT SELECTION OF PRE - LOVED CARS,
ALL AT GREAT VALUE AND ALL WITH WARRANTY
• EXCELLENT FINANCE DEALS AVAILABLE
DACIA SANDERA 1.0 PETROL 152 RED
€12,950
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 09 BLACK
€9,950
HYUNDAI i40 152 GREY
€24,950
KIA CEED EX 161 GREY
Loughlan, Moya Brennan.
Johnny Cronin of Cronin
said the lads wanted to do
something a bit different
for the recording. “We got
the call from Jim Lockhart
and he suggested singing
‘Make Me an Island’ but
everyone does that song so
we thought we’d do something
else. ‘The Answer to
Everything’ by Del Shannon
was Joe Dolan’s first
hit and and we love that
song and did a version of it
with Red Rock’s Patrick
Bergin.”
The concept for the documentary
came from director
Brian Reddin, who just
so happened to come across
a piece about the bicentenary
of the Royal Canal
and knew it was an opportunity
not to be missed.
Whilst not all singers may
have a connection with the
canal, the locations of
shoots and many of the
songs have links with the
Royal Canal, “Singing ‘The
Aul Triangle’ outside of the
jail itself, it doesn’t get
more connected than that”
laughed Fiachna Ó Braonain.
Brian said that while the
documentary is about the
canal, it is more centred on
the journey it takes the
passenger on. “It’s more
about the music associated
with the canal. It goes right
through Mullingar which
is the town of Joe Dolan,
The Swarbriggs, The
Drifters and even Niall
Horan and ends up near
Longford where we have
Declan Nerney and so
many other artists. We are
doing six half hour programmes
on it which is
impressive because the
canal is only 90 miles long
from Dublin to the Shannon
so you wouldn’t think you’d
get that much out of it.”
PEUGEOT 2008 1.6hdi 132 SILVER
€13,450
KIA SOUL EX 142 GREY
€19,950
KIA PRO CEED 08 SILVER
€7,250
KIA RIO EX DIESEL 1.4 141 RED
€13,450
€21,950
Lough Sheever Corp. Pk, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Tel: 044 9396565 • W: www.sleatorkia.ie

8 NEWS
DEATH NOTICES
Margaret (Mag) O'KEEFFE (née Fay)
Ballinafid, Multyfarnham, Westmeath. Died
Friday, 14 April 2017. Reposed at Gilsenan's
Funeral Home on Sunday, 16 April, followed by
removal to St Nicholas' Church, Multyfarnham.
Funeral Mass took place on Monday, 17 April,
followed by burial in St Peter's the Rock Cemetery.
(Peigi) O'ROURKE (née Leslie)
Blanchardstown, Dublin/ Mullin-gar, Westmeath.
Died Tuesday, 11 April 2017. Reposed at
Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Blanchardstown
on Thursday evening, 13 April. Removal was to
St. Brigid’s Church, Blanchardstown, on Friday
morning, 14 April, for funeral prayers, followed
by cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium.
John (Séan) MOLLOY
Mearscourt, Rathconrath, Mullingar, Westmeath.
Died Thursday, 13 April 2017.
Reposed at the residence of his daughter Clare
on Friday, 14 April, with removal for funeral
service on Saturday, 15 April to St Matthew's
Church, Milltown, and burial afterwards in
adjoining cemetery.
Olive SHANNON (née Foley)
Knockdrin, Mullingar, Westmeath / Ballyfermot,
Dublin. Died Saturday, 15 April 2017.
Reposed at the TLC Nursing Home, Maynooth,
on Easter Monday, 17 April. Funeral Mass took
place on Tuesday, 18 April in St Mary's Church,
Lucan Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, followed by
burial in Esker Cemetery, Lucan.
KENNY, Joseph
Heathfield Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, London,
and formerly Ginnell Terrace, Mullingar.
Died Saturday, 11 February 2017.
Memorial Mass took place on Easter Monday,
17 April in the Cathedral of Christ the King,
Mullingar, followed with interment of his
ashes at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Marlinstown,
Mullingar.
MULCAHY, Patty (Patricia)
Cedar Park, Leixlip, Kildare / Celbridge, Kildare /
Mullingar, Westmeath. Died Saturday, 15 April
2017. Reposed at Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster
St., Maynooth on Tuesday, 18 April. Removal
took place on Wednesday, 19 April to arrive at
the Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip for
Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Confey
Cemetery.
MURRAY, John
Crookedwood, Mullingar, Westmeath / Kilbeggan,
Westmeath. Died Thursday, 13 April,
2017.
Reposed at Nannery's Chapel of Rest,
Riverview, Kilbeggan, on Monday, 17 April.
Removal was to St. James’ Church, Kilbeggan.
Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday, 18 April,
with interment afterwards in the Relic Cemetery,
Kilbeggan.
MORGAN, Patrick
Moyvore, Westmeath. Died Tuesday, 11 April
2017. Reposed at the Nursing Home Chapel on
Thursday evening, 13 April. Removal took
place on Friday morning, 14 April to the Relic
Cemetery, Kilbeggan for burial.
HEALY, Tom
The death has occurred of Tom HEALY
Dalkey, Dublin / Kinnegad, Westmeath. Died
Friday, 14 April 2017. Reposed on Monday, 17
April in Quinn’s of Glasthule. Removal took
place on Tuesday, 18 April to the Church of the
Assumption, Dalkey, arriving for Funeral Mass
followed by burial in Shanganagh Cemetery.
FOX, William Joseph (Willie)
Killulagh, Delvin, Westmeath. Died Monday, 10
April, 2017. Reposed at his home on Wednesday,
12 April. Removal was to St. Livinius
Church, Killulag. Funeral Service took place on
Thursday morning, 13 April, followed by burial
in adjoining cemetery.
FAGAN, Matthew
Ankerland, Fore, Castlepollard, Westmeath.
Died Wednesday, 12 April 2017. Removal was
to St Fechin's Church, Fore on Monday, 17
April. Funeral took place on Tuesday, 18 April,
with burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery.
Phillis WARD (née Baker)
London, England, and formely of Ballykilroe,
Ballinagore, Co Westmeath. Sadly missed by
her loving family, husband Christy (formerly
Graiguechlullaire Dunmore) sons Darren and
Kern, daughter Evelyn, brothers Des and Harry,
sisters Rita and Elise, extended family neighbours
and friends. Reposed at Glynn's Funeral
home, Dunmore, Co Galway, on Thursday, 20
April, with removal to the Church Of Our Lady
& St Nicholas, Dunmore.
Funeral Mass took place on Friday, 21 April,
with burial afterwards in Addergoole Cemetery.
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
‘A CULTURE GONE
BANANAS’
Insurance industry must be regulated, says Cllr. Collentine
A culture gone bananas! This
was the description by elected
representatives of the claims
culture and spiralling insurance
costs in this country, during
the April Meeting of
Mullingar Municipal District.
The Municipal District is to
issue two letters to the government,
both calling for the
introduction of regulations for
the industry, following a
motion brought by Fianna Fáil
Councillor Bill Collentine.
The Councillor and businessman
touched on a sensitive
subject that gave rise to a lively
discussion about the freewheeling
costs of insurance.
His motion asked that the
Municipal District call on the
government to appoint an independent
ombudsman for the
industry.
“Anyone in business will
understand what I’m talking
about,” said Cllr. Collentine.
Indeed, everyone in the
chamber understood and there
was sweeping support in the
chamber for this appeal.
Presentation JNS have the ‘whole world in their hands’
THE children at Presentation JNS
held their Action Day for Global
Citizenship on Thursday, 6 April.
Presentation JNS currently have
16 nationalities at the school.
Along with a colouring competition
on the theme of Reduce,
Reuse, Recycle, the school held a
food appeal for St. Vincent de Paul
in December.
The Green Schools Committee,
which consists of ten children
from first and second classes, have
done a lot of work researching
Fairtrade products. They used
their ingredients to make banana
cake which went down very well at
a cake sale on the day.
To highlight Global Citizenship,
the childrenlearned about what it
means to be global and on the day,
they dressed up in the colour of
their country's flag.
With claims worth tens of
thousands regularly award-ed
by the courts, costs of insurance
rising wildly, the compensation
culture is, according to
elected members, going from
the sublime to the ridiculous.
“I have no sympathy for
insurance companies. Just last
week, we heard of a woman
who visited a local hotel,
pulled her chair into a table,
banged her knee and received
€20,000 in compensation. Have
we lost our minds?” demanded
a perplexed Cllr. Andrew Duncan.
“The claims culture is gone
bananas. Meanwhile, we have
people who are being refused
insurance on older cars with
an NCT, although they are
deemed road worthy. So people
are being forced to take out
loans to buy cars they can’t
afford. There is something
wrong there,” said Cllr Sorcha
Clarke.
“Insurance companies are
holding this country to ransom!
It is scandalous what is
One of the highlights of the day
was when local postman, André
Stalenbur, came to collect letters
written by the children.
FLAT STANLEY
The letters contain Flat Stanleya
character based on a book by Jeff
Brown. Flat Stanley will be sent on
an adventure all around the world
and the recipients will post back
photos of him in various locations
all around the world.
On the day, the school had a bake
sale and sold some Fairtrade goodies
and other confectionary to support
Tanzania Heavenly Homes, a
project run by local man, John
McCauley.
The children also participated in
an Around the World Quiz and
each class did a project on a different
country.
going on,” agreed Cllr. Paddy
Hill.
Councillors voiced the view
that quotes for insurance costs
were entirely at the discretion
of companies, who appeared to
pull whatever figure they want
from the skies. The reality is
that many property owners are
not taking out insurance,
despite the vulnerable position
this might create for them.
“Among the worst affected are
small and medium businesses.
No-one is looking out for
them,” said Cllr. Collentine
who tabled the original
motion.
Martin Murray, Director of
Services, agreed that a letter to
Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be
drafted, asking that this
appointment be made by the
government.
In fact, not one but two letters
regarding this matter are to be
submitted, with Cllr. Ken
Glynn requesting that the second
calls for more stringent
independent regulations on
the costs of car insurance.
The motion was brought forward by Fianna Fáil
councillor Bill Collentine.
Green School Committee at Presentation Junior School. Back row, left to
right: Zuzanna Wojik, Abbey Rose Rooney, Jude Kimartin and Andrea Bura.
Front row, left to right: Oscar Flood, Samantha Adzangoa, Mindaugas
Nemeikstis and Aaron Rooney. Missing from photo are Dario Htihor and
Afra Khan.
BACK IN
BUSINESS!
THERE was great excitement
throughout Mullingar over the
past few days when rumours
began to swirl that after 15
years, much loved husband
and wife team Liam and Mary
Gilleran were to once again
take the helm of No. 1, Harbour
Street. The much-loved
husband and wife team Liam
and Mary Gilleran are pictured
back where it all began.

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
IN BRIEF
Cullion
Progressive 25
RESULTS FOR 10 APRIL
12 Games
James Rickard and Michael
Kavanagh, Patrick Maxwell and
Michael Keogh.
Table Prizes
Roe Lynch and Nora Ryan, Seamus
Maher and Seamus Lyons.
Last Game
Pat Gaffney and Michael
Power.
Raffle
Damien Molloy, Michael Harte,
Jimmy Rickard and Michael
Kavanagh. The Jackpot of 14
Games wasn’t won. New players
are always welcome.
Gainstown
Progressive 25
Results for 12 April
Jackpot winners on 14 Games
were Roe Lynch and Michael
Keogh.
Second on 12 Games
Seamus Lyons and Seamus
Maher.
Table Prizes
Mary Daly and Frank Ryan,
Larry and Nancy Ennis, Mary Barrett
and Dolores Wright, Des
Yeoman and Larry Gorman.
Last Game
Frank Seery and Tom Hanlon.
Raffle
Jack O’Dell, Nora Ryan, Roe
Lynch, Rita Bentick, Nora McCormack.
Killucan Raharney
Golden Years Club
On Wednesday, 12 April Killucan
Raharney Golden Years
members got together in the
club for another fun-filled day.
Sympathy was extended to the
Hill and Judge families on the
death of Imelda. May she rest in
peace.
Get well wishes to anyone feeling
unwell at the moment.
We had Judy with a wonderful
selection of easy Easter dishes to
make and as always raffled each
item off so a lot of the members
went home with something nice.
We also had an Easter draw with
Easter eggs. Our birthday party
is on Friday evening, 28 April at
5pm. Members can bring a
guest. If transport is needed
please call the centre and we will
try to help. We look forward to
seeing you all then.
Milltownpass CAG
A great turnout was had at the
annual 25 card drive in Milltownpass
Community Centre on
Friday, 7 April. Over 70 players
battled it out, and had a great
laugh as they changed from
table to table.
It all ended in the winners
enclosure, with great camaraderie
along the way there was
refreshments on the night, and a
raffle took place in between
The group would like to thank
all players, and much appreciation
was given to all the volunteers
for their hard work. A
special thanks must go out to
Mrs Mary Manning co-ordinator
of the event and to the community
for their continued support
of this now cherished annual
event.
Jason McCabe, Joe Nangle, Frank Conway and Michael Hynes.
BY CLAIRE CORRIGAN
THERE were tired but
happy faces at Coláiste
Mhuire on Saturday
morning as cyclists
glided down the path to
the school gym to have a
well earned rest. They
had just returned from
a mammoth cycle in aid
of Good2Talk Mul -
lingar, Pieta House
Athlone and Good2Talk
Longford. Participants
took part in one of the
three individual legs -
Mullingar - Athlone (42
km), Athlone-Longford
(55km) and Longford-
Mullingar (43km)- while
experienced cy clists
who wanted more of
challenge, completed
the full 140km route.
Also present on the day
was Taoiseach Enda Kenny
who joined participants in
the sponsored cycle, which
proceeded via the greenway
to A.I.T before continuing
to St. Mel’s in
Longford and back to
Mullingar.
One of the volunteers
was Aideen Ginnell who
helped with the organisation
of the fundraiser and
acted as a marshall
throughout the day. “The
idea was to bring the three
mental health charities in
Mullingar, Athlone and
Longford together. It was
Pat Gavin’s (CEO of
Good2Talk) idea to do the
event through the HSE
strategy Connecting for
Life, which is Ireland's
National Strategy to
reduce suicide. It’s about
bringing all the services
together and ensuring that
everyone in each part of
the two counties knows
where they can get help if
they need it. The cycle
started from Mullingar
this morning from
Good2Talk then went on to
Athlone into AIT and that
was for Pieta House, and
then across and that was
for the Longford mental
health services and back.”
Aideen said that she,
along with the other volunteers,
were delighted with
the turnout of well over
one hundred cyclists, especially
as it was the first
year that the event had
taken place. “I think everyone
really enjoyed the
Greenway part. It gets
tricky when you hit the
roads because we obviously
had different levels of
cyclists so you’re trying to
make sure everyone is safe.
It was great, we’re all just a
bit wrecked,” she laughed.
CEO of Good2Talk Pat
Gavin told Topic he was
delighted with the success
of the fundraiser. “It went
very well. It was our first
year and hopefully, there
will be many years to come.
It was a very successful
NEWS
Tour of the Lakelands a huge success
When Ambassador Rooney visited Mullingar
TRIBUTES have been
paid to the late Mr
Daniel Rooney, the former
high-profile U.S.
Ambassador to Ireland,
who died last Thursday,
aged 84.
On 18 August, 2011 Mr
Rooney and his wife Mrs.
Patricia Rooney visited
Mullingar. This was
Ambassador Rooney’s last
county to visit in the
Republic of Ireland during
his tenure as Ambassador.
Mr Rooney was appointed
to the role of Ambassador
by President Barack
Obama in 2009 and served
until he resigned from the
post in 2012. On his visit to
Westmeath, the former
owner and chairman of the
Pittsburgh Steelers NFL
team, said that he “was saving
the best until last.”
On his arrival in
Mullingar, Ambassador
and Mrs. Rooney were
greeted by Leas-Cathaoirleach
Cllr. Ger Corcoran
and Deputy County Manager
Ray Kenny where they
were given a quick briefing
about the county. Later that
morning, the Ambassador
hosted an Open Forum in
the Mullingar Arts Centre.
Martina Hanley, Sarah Duffy, Martin Duffy and Teresa McGlynn and Mary Farrell enjoying the after
event refreshments.
On his visit to Mullingar in August 2011, Cllr. Detty Cornally made a
presentation to U.S. Ambassador Daniel Rooney. Also pictured was Mr
Rooney’s wife, Patricia.
The Ambassador, was
joined on the discussion
panel by Sr. Therese and
Pat Whelan, and was positive
and optimistic about
Volunteering their time were Pat Gavin (CEO of Good2Talk), Leonard
Thompson, Natalie Buckley, Aideen Ginnell, Eimear Murtagh and Leslie
Murtagh.
Ireland’s, and indeed,
Mullingar’s future, adding
that he believed that ‘your
attitude here is excellent’
and that ‘we always have to
have hope.’
When asked how Westmeath
as a county united
could survive the recession
and increase tourism, Mr
Rooney was quick to
respond.
“Westmeath needs to
have a plan,” he stressed at
the time. “You have a great
story to tell and you can
accomplish a lot here,” he
added, before commenting
that he would put the interests
of Westmeath forward
2 DAY FENG
SHUI COURSE
General Space and
Personal Feng Shui
Cost €195
e
Booking
necessary
9
day, great buzz about and
we thoroughly enjoyed it.
We’re here since 6.30am
this morning and we’re all
tired now but happy that it
went so well.”
Deputy Robert Troy said
that he was thrilled with
the number of cyclists who
took part and that he hoped
the cycle was the first of
many. “We hope it will be
annual event and create
awareness of positive mental
health and the fabulous
service that is Good2Talk
here in Mullingar and in
Longford. It’s also to raise
much needed funds be -
cause unfortunately these
services are not fully
funded by the State and
they do have to fundraise
so we are really hoping that
today will help them for the
year ahead.
“We want to thank our
amazing sponsors including
Larkin Tynan Nohilly
Solicitors and Legal Services
Mullingar, Enterprise
Car Rental, DHL,
Tara Wholesale Bottlers,
CBS, Value Centre Cash &
Carry, Wineport Lodge.
The support has been
amazing and the number of
people who participated
was great. We really look
forward to have an even
bigger event next year!”
at a congress that he was
going to in October. He also
mentioned that he thought
that the local GAA players
should be put to better use
and become ambassadors
for the county.
Mr Rooney died in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania last
Thursday, 13 April. His
funereal took place on
Tuesday of this week at St.
Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh.
Sunday
23rd April
and Sunday
30th April
from 10am to 4.30
both days
at the Park Hotel, Mullingar
colette.malone@gmail.com
Colette 087 649 0530

10 NEWS
Kilbeggan Races aiming to build
on ambitious future programme
TOPIC • X XXXX, XXXX
BY LARRY COONEY
The onset of Easter
and early summer can
only mean that
another season of Kilbeggan
racing is
about to unfold. And
not surprising preparations
were in full
swing when Topic
paid a visit to Loughnagore
last week to
meet manager Paddy
Dunican and his team
getting everything in
‘ship shape’ for this
Friday evening’s first
evening meeting.
In the aftermath of last
Monday’s Fairyhouse
Grand National meeting
and with the Punchestown
Festival also on the horizon,
this time of year is
undoubtedly the busiest for
National Hunt racing in
Ireland. And that is why
the first of Kilbeggan’s
eight meetings is sure to
attract a huge attendance
this Friday evening beginning
at 5.00pm. And just
like a visit the town’s local
distillery an evening at the
Kilbeggan Races is also a
unique experience, not to
mention one of the most
popular local events of the
summer.
And first impressions
even before the crowds
descend there this Friday
evening are extremely
impressive. With average
attendances expected to
exceed 7,000 this year much
of the course’s growth and
popularity has been attributed
to the €5m investment
in Kilbeggan over the past
fifteen years, including just
over €2m in the last three
years.
The success of the course
managed by a local committee
of thirty volunteers
chaired by Paul Daly and
supported by long-serving
treasurer Tom Lynam is
also the result of an effective
marketing programme
in recent years targeting
social groups as well as the
lucrative corporate business
market. Sponsorship
from the local business
community and media
rights revenue have also
helped swell the coffers of
the Kilbeggan course but it
is the steady growth in
attendances that has been
most encouraging according
to manager Paddy
Dunican. “Last year was
an outstanding year for us.
We have pursued a very
vigorous marketing campaign
to grow our business
and we have experienced a
significant number of new
people coming to Kilbeggan
for the first time. Our
biggest growth in attendance
is coming from
group bookings from local
social clubs, and businesses
bringing their customers
for a day out,” said
Paddy who also added: “We
are looking forward to a
great new season of racing
with eight race meetings
planned from now until l
Administration team: Pictured at the entrance to the main building are
manager Paddy Dunican, treasurer Tom Lynam, Anne Marie Guinan and Kim
Allen.
next September”. Further
development works on the
track have been carried out
which creates a much better
racing surface for the
horses and jockeys and
thus attracts to Kilbeggan,
men of the best exponents
in the sport of kings.
KILBEGGAN RACES A
TRULY IRISH OCCASION
A visit to the Kilbeggan
Races is a truly vibrant
social occasion as much as
an exciting sporting event
as an altogether most
enjoyable experience. Contrast
the heart-stopping
spectacle of racing over
jumps with that of the laidback
charm of a genuine
rural meeting and that is
the kind of combination
that is very rare nowadays.
The Kilbeggan formula is
therefore made for fun,
friendship and atmosphere
for the thousands who
return through the Kilbeggan
turnstiles meeting
after meeting.
The usually tranquil
square in the local town
centre is always transformed
on race evenings
into a festival of social and
sporting pleasure by literally
attracting race-goers
from every corner of Ireland
before heading for
Loughnagore.
“You can meet friends,
mingle; you can eat, drink
and cheer without restriction;
you can bring the family
or whoever; where for a
few euros the odds are
much better than a lottery
ticket; and where you can
boast afterwards that it
was sheer skill that made
you pick the winner!” said
Paddy who added: “If you
are bright, witty and rich
you will enjoy Kilbeggan
Races and if not, you will
enjoy it just the same.”
CATERING FACILITIES
The facilities at Kilbeggan
include a panoramic,
glass-fronted Balcony Suite
- superbly located opposite
the winning post, adjacent
to the bookmakers’ ring
with an expansive view
overlooking the entire racetrack
and colourful spectator
area. A self-service
restaurant and snack-bar is
also a popular haunt for
race-goers and punters.
The tented bar on the hill
overlooks the entire racecourse,
and is a hub for the
event’s live music at every
race meeting. All of
course’s bars are also popular
meeting places with visitors
and locals alike, and
are the ideal place for postrace
analysis as well as a
nice relaxing pint before
departing.
IRELAND'S
ALL-NATIONAL HUNT
RACECOURSE IN AN
IRISH SETTING
Kilbeggan is one of Ireland's
only racecourses
where races over
jumps are under National
Hunt rules. Racing at Kilbeggan
therefore usually
makes for an entertaining,
thrilling and heart-stopping
spectacle where you
are close enough to see the
skill, excellence and bravery
of man and animal.
And the Kilbeggan course
has never looked in better
shape located in a picturesque
and natural setting
for racing - both easy
on the eye and perfect for
viewing. The viewing area
on the Hill is adjacent to
the first jump - giving racegoers
an impressive view
over the entire racecourse
and its surroundings.
Here, groups can relax,
but yet remain immersed
in the thrilling racing
action and close to all the
festivities. Located adjacent
to the new M6
motoway – Kilbeggan is
now only one hour from
Dublin and from Galway.
And the advent of the
motorway has also meant
that the course car-parks
can be cleared just over
half an hour after the last
race according to Tom
Lynam who is the longest
serving member (since
1956) of the current Kilbeggan
course management
team.
But much of the post race
traffic also heads for the
larger towns of Athlone,
Mullingar, Tullamore,
Trim, Kilcock, Longford,
Portlaoise, Birr, Edenderry
and Ballinasloe rather
remaining in Kilbeggan
itself.
THE MIDLANDS
NATIONAL - 21ST JULY
2017
All but one of this year’s
racing programme are
evening meetings including
the highlight of the Kilbeggan
racing calendar –
The Midlands National on
Friday - 21 July 2017.
Described in many quarters
as the social event of
the year in the Midlands,
this race is one of the most
exciting chases of the Summer
Racing calendar. The
race has become the largest
Summer Race Meeting outside
of the Irish Derby and
the Galway Plate and consistently
provides fun,
friendship and an electric
atmosphere. A full evening
of entertainment for all the
family including live
music, children’s entertainment
as well as the
glamour and style of the
Best Dressed Lady.
The only meeting not
held on an evening in this
season of racing in Kilbeggan
will be the very popular
Family Day on Sunday 4
June. The first race of the
Summer Sunday Festival is
at 2.45 pm.
The Summer Party Pack
@ Just €22 Per Person is
available for all eight meetings
which includes:
Admission Ticket + €5
Food Voucher + €5 Drink
Voucher + Race Card . For
groups of 10 +, Discounted
Tickets Pre-Sale Only.
FIRST MEETING 2017
THIS FRIDAY
The highlight of the first
meeting of the year is the
Irish Stallion Farms European
Breeders Fund Mares
Chase sponsored by the
European Breeders Fund.
The European Breeder’s
Fund has contributed €40
million since 1983 and €2
Friday evening’s Racing Card
million in 2017. The Irish
European Breeder’s Fund
has contributed significant
sponsorship to Irish Racing
and is working closely
with the racecourses to
spread the message of their
activities for the greater
good of Irish National
Hunt Racing.
The first meeting of the
year has a unique history
in that it brings out people
from the winter wilderness
to a specialist jumping
racecourse creating the
opportunity to meet up
with friends, family, neighbours,
racing buddies, visitors,
and perhaps a few
strangers, who might
become friends.
Admission is Adults €15,
Students & OAP’s €12, plus
discount for groups and
children under 16 free.
There is also a Special Discount
Summer Party Pack
for €22- you get admission,
a Free Race Card ,€5 Drink
Voucher, and €5 Food
Voucher.
Ticket can now be purchased
at over 250 Centra
and SuperValu outlets
nationwide.
Contact the Kilbeggan
Office at 057 9332176 or
email at racing@kilbegganraces.com
5.00 The Follow Kilbeggan on Facebook Maiden Hurdle of €11,000
5.35 The Follow Kilbeggan on Twitter Maiden Hurdle of €11,000
6.05 The Summer Party Pack Handicap Hurdle of €12,000
6.35 The Mullingar Handicap Hurdle of €11,000
7.05 The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares
Beginners Steeplechase of €15,000
7.35 The Sean Hughes memorial Handicap Steeplechase of €16,000
8.05 The Loughnagore Flat Race of €10,000
Regulation fence: Father and son Austin and Jason Colton are pictured with
Tom Lynam and manager Paddy Dunican preparing one of the fences ahead
of the start of the Kilbeggan Races next Friday evening.
Kilbeggan Grandstand.
Racecourse manager Paddy Dunican.
Remaining 2017 Kilbeggan Race Meetings
Friday, 12th May, First Race at approximately 5.20 pm
Friday Evening Racing
Sunday, 4th June, First Race at approximately 2.45 pm
Summer Sunday Festival
Monday, 26th June, First Race at approximately 6.00 pm
Mid Summer Race Evening
Friday, 21st July, First Race at approximately 6.00 pm
Midlands National & Best Dressed Lady Competition
Saturday, 12th August, First Race at approximately 5.30 pm
Summer Saturday & Best Dressed Lady Competition
Friday, 25th August, First Race at approximately 5.00 pm
Friday Evening Racing
Friday, 8th September, 1st. Race at approximately 4.30 pm
Friday Evening Racing

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
Packy would have to say
that the most uplifting
event for Mullingar town in
recent years was the official
opening on Easter
Monday, of the new 1916
Memorial Park beside the
Green Bridge.... and fair
play to Cllr.Bill Collentine,
Tomás Nally, Jason McKevitt,
Eamon McGowan,
Ger O’Connor. Anita
Kennedy and William Collentine,
and all the other
Tidy Towns committee people
involved, and all those
who helped and assisted
them in any way... nice to
see the Army and retired
Army units fully represented,
as well as Civil
Defence and Mullingar
Town Band in full splendour,
as well as some of the
elected members of Westmeath
Co. Council and Dáil
Éireann.... the new Monument
is a credit to the
builder .... and the finished
product is a worthy tribute
to the brave people of 1916
....Mullingar has a new
street monument well
worth showing to any visitors,
along with The
Monks, Joe Dolan’s statue
and the Great Famine
Memorial.... historian
Ruth Illingworth will
have to add to her town
walks itinerary from now
on....this Friday, all horse
racing followers will be
hoping for plenty of sunshine
in Kilbeggan for the
first Races meeting of
with Br. Frank & Br. Fergus
I see the buses are
back on the road...
2017.... the first race is at
5pm, and the race card
looks good, with the
biggest prize-fund of
€22,600 for the ITBA Irish
Stallion Farms European
Breeders Fund Steeplechase
over 2 miles and 3
furlongs, and the top individual
prize for a winner of
€16,000 in the Sean Hughes
Memorial Handicap
Steeplechase... the total
prize money on the night is
almost €120,000...so once
again. well done to Kilbeggan
Races and Paddy Dunican
and Co. for their
work... in horseracing
terms, Kilbeggan is Westmeath’s
showcase....
...have you been to see the
Mullingar Student Players
in the Arts Centre
yet?...their latest offering,
the musical “Hairspray”
opened on Monday and
continues until Saturday
next, so don’t miss this
great show.... the sunshine
on Easter Monday brought
people out for a stroll...
spotted Margaret Murray’s
new dog taking her
for a fast walk on Monday
evening, heading for
home...you’re feeding the
young lady too well, Margaret....the
swallows are
staying around town, so
summer must be on the
way....
some birthday greetings
now... and a belated greeting
for Caoimhe Dermody,
Mayne, Coole, who
I hope we’ll all
be getting our
tickets
refunded...
had a birthday last week...
and also for Ava Louise
Cribbin from The Downs,
Mullingar ..... on this
Thursday, 20 April, birthday
greetings to Jordan
Byrne, Raithin, Mullingar...all
the family send
their best wishes..... and
greetings on the same day
to Emma Duncan, Violetstown,
Mullingar....and also
on 20 April, a birthday
greeting goes to Alan Farrell,
Tyrrellspass, who will
be twelve-years-old, with
best wishes from his parents,
brothers Shane and
Gary and all the family...
On Friday, 21 April,
Corey Hanley will celebrate
his tenth birthday,
and best wishes to him
from his mum and all the
family.
On Sunday next, 23 April,
Teresa Groome from Ballinabrackey
will have a
birthday, and on Monday
next, 24 April, young Killucan
woman, Ciara Keegan
is sent special
greetings... and also on 24
April, Daisy Carey from
Tyrrellspass (of Celtic
Blonde fame) has her birthday,
and her sister Rose and
all the family wish her the
very best...
.... a special birthday wish
for Roisín Lyons from
Scurlockstown, Slanemore,
Mullingar, who celebrates
her birthday on next Tuesday,
25 April, and best
wishes from her parents,
brother, sister and all the
family... also on 25 April,
greetings also to a young
lady, Lea Nugent, who is
wished all the best by her
parents, grandparents and
by all the family.... and
greetings to Claire Bardon-Maher
who will have
a birthday to celebrate the
same day.....and a belated
congrats to Mark Christie
of Mullingar Harriers on
winning the Great Britain
Run and National 10K
title...and likewise to
Damien Shaw on his great
cycling performance in
France in recent days...winning
a stage beating the former
winner, holding the
yellow jersey for several
days, and finishing in the
top six....greetings to Fiona
Maher, Mullingar who celebrated
her birthday on 13
April and enjoyed plenty of
fun with family members
and work colleagues at
Tesco, Mullingar...Next
week, on Wednesday, 26
April, Dr. Richard
Collins, and expert on the
subject, will give an illustrated
lecture on the
strange fact about bird
life...including mute swans,
and many native Irish
birds.. so all the local Birdwatchers
will surely be
going to the Barn in
Tyrrellspass at 8pm on
Wednesday......the following
Sunday, 30 April, the
Eucharistic Adoration
pilgrimage to Knock takes
place, with a bus from
Mullingar that morning...
former Mullingar priest
Bishop Denis Nulty will
celebrate the Mass... contact
Úna at 087-645 0046 if
you want to travel on the
bus...Many thanks to everyone
who supported the
Card Drive in Ballynacargy
Parochial Hall last Friday
night in aid of the Irish
Cancer Society and the
Irish Kidney Association....
…it was great to see so
many local faces on television
last Sunday as Killaro
Boy won the novices chase
at Fairyhouse...spotted
Tom McHugh, Johnnie
and Willie Penrose, Paul
Murtagh, Kieran and
Alice Kerrigan, Tommy
Maguire, Deirdre, Niamh
and Irene Penrose, Brendan
Glynn, Gerry Keon
and Anthony Maher all
1,170,000
The Children's Department
has this week
announced a €1.17m fund
for small local youth
clubs. It is a 10% increase
on last year and its aimed
at small volunteer led
organisations.Up to 1,600
groups with over 90,000
members will be open to
apply through their local
Education and Training
Boards.
250,000
A lotto ticket holder is
€250,000 richer this week.
It's after one ticket took
Saturday night's Lotto
Plus 2 draw. The numbers
are 5, 7, 32, 36, 40, 41 and
the bonus is 20. The ticket
was sold in the midlands.
101
It will be 101 years ago
on Monday next, 24 April,
that the 1916 Rising
started, on what was
Easter Monday that year.
The Rising took place
over six days and ended
on Easter Saturday, 29
April, 1916.
91
On Friday of his week,
21 April, Queen Elizabeth
II, the longest reigning
British monarch, turns
91.
NEWS
11
Success for St Finian’s College at
Dublin’s Feis Ceoil competitions
CONGRATULATIONS
are sent this week to all
Feis Ceoil participants
from St Finian’s College,
Mullingar, and especially
to all the current pupils
and past pupils who were
successful in winning
Dublin Feis Ceoil cups in
several disciplines.
St Finian’s and schools
nationally know The
Schola Cantorum have a
long history of successes
with Feis Ceoil entrants.
Set up more than thirty
years ago, in 1896,
Dublin’s Feis Ceoil promotes
excellence in the
learning and performance
of music across all ages,
levels and disciplines.
The annual Feis Ceoil
now comprises of almost
200 competitions, attracting
over 5,000 participants
from all over the island of
Ireland. It is an essential
element in the musical
infrastructure of the country
and has made an
immeasurable contribution
to the study and cultivation
of music at all
levels in Ireland.
Some of the St Finian’s
CONFIRMATION IN BALLYNACARGY
On Thursday, 30 March, The Sacrament of Confirmation was administered
by Bishop Michael Smith to the pupils of Ballynacargy N.S. and Sonna N.S.
at The Church of the Nativity, Ballynacargy.
Sonna N.S. pupil Shane Ledwith is pictured on the day with family members
Jack, Jenny and Michael Ledwith.
Alan Fagan, pictured with his teacher Mr Gerard
Lillis.
College winners this year
included:
Shane Quinn, winner of
the u15 Piano Solo competition
and Very Highly
Commended in the u15
Solo Violin.
Shane McLoughlin, winner
of The Stanford Cup
and The Catherine
McAuley award for achieving
the highest mark in all
senior organ solo competitions.
Alan Fagan, winner of
the Senior organ competition
and consequently
selected to perform as a
soloist in the Annual Feis
Ceoil Gala Concert held in
Dublin’s National Concert
Hall on 26 April where the
President of Ireland,
Michael D. Higgins will be
in attendance.
Clíodhna Regan, winner
enjoying the moment and
why wouldn’t they after
such a great success...the
late Johnny Kerrigan and
his good pal, Cecil Ross
must have been looking
down smiling at the great
scenes in the winners
enclosure…I’m told they all
had the winner
backed!...here’s to more
great days and you’d never
know, Cheltenham could be
on the cards!....remember,
of the u15 Irish Solo song
competition, and runnerup
in the u18 Junior Organ
competition.
PAST PUPILS ALSO
Among the St. Finian’s
college past pupils were:
Sarah Brady (soprano),
winner of the Lieder
Prize, Nancy Calthorpe
Cup, Dermot Troy Trophy,
Gervase Elwes Memorial
Cup and Mollie Murray
€1,000 award. Sarah has
also been selected to perform
at the Annual Feis
Ceoil Gala Concert which
will be held in Dublin’s
National Concert Hall on
26 April and has been
shortlisted for the RDS
Music Bursary, which is
worth €15,000.
Past pupil Peter Regan
(piano), who is currently
studying with Dr John
O’Conor, and was winner
of The Senior Piano competition,
and the Hamilton
Harty Cup.
Past pupil Kate Tulgara
(soprano), the winner of
the PJ Geoghegan Memorial
Cup.
Packy told you first....
... from your friend,
Packy Mac
The Week
In Numbers
76
Elected to the office of
President of Ireland in
November, 2011, Michael
D. Higgins, politician,
poet, scholar, sociologist,
author and Ireland’s 9th
President turned 76 on
Tuesday of this week, 18
April.
21
The first meeting of the
2017 Kilbeggan Races gets
under way on Friday of
this week, 21 April, with
the first race on Friday
going under the starter’s
orders at 5pm.
3
Founded in 1856, the
same year as the CBS,
Mullingar Hevey Institute
was built, the
Mullingar Town Commissioners
and Mullingar
Town Council represented
158 years of
democracy, elections and
free speech in Mullingar
and Westmeath. Together
with all Town Councils, it
was abolished in 2014 and
had its last formal
monthly meeting three
year ago on Saturday of
this week, 22 April, and
its last meeting three
weeks later, on 13 May.

12 NEWS
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
Moving Ceremony Captures Spirit
of 1916 Park Monument unveiling
BY CLAIRE CORRIGAN
TRAFFIC
at
Mullingar’s Green
Bridge came to a
standstill at noon on
Easter Monday of this
week, as Mullingar
people came out to celebrate
the official
opening of the town’s
new 1916 Centenary
Garden, put in place
by the Mullingar Tidy
Towns sub-committee
as part of the State’s
‘Decade of Centenaries’
initiative.
The Irish Defence Forces,
including current and
retired members were
prominent during the ceremony,
including IUNVA
and ONE members as well
as other retired Army personnel.
Westmeath Civil
Defence was also represented,
and the Tidy Towns
committee members who
had planned and carried
out the project were among
the main speakers.The official
blessing of the new
monument was performed
by the Mullingar Administrator,
Fr. Padraig McMahon
and Rev. Alastair
Graham, Church of Ireland
rector.
Attendees came from far
and wide to the ceremony,
honouring the local men
and women who were
involved in the Independence
movement in 1916
and were active during the
Easter Rising period and
the years afterwards,
Seven newly planted
saplings circling the monument
represent the seven
signatories of the Proclamation
of Independence.
The attractive Memorial
Garden/Park is the work
of a 1916 Sub-Committee
formed in 2016, to look at
ways in which the
Mullingar people who
played their part in the Rising
and its aftermath,
could best be remembered
in the Mullingar of 2017.
Mullingar Tidy Towns
committee member
Eamonn McGowan acted as
MC for the opening which
saw several of his colleagues
deliver moving
speeches beside the beautiful
stone memorial.
Addressing the crowd, Mr
McGowan thanked the subcommittee
for their hard
work in creating such a
unique and elegantly built
tribute to the people of
1916. “It was up to the subcommittee
to design and
complete this historical
area of contemplation and
reflection. This finely
crafted monument is surrounded
by seven trees,
each tree represents one of
the seven signatures of the
Irish Proclamation. It
encompasses a time capsule
for the future residents
of Mullingar. I’d like
to thank my fellow committee
members for their dedication
and enthusiasm in
the completion of this project.
Also Teresa Collentine
for looking after all of us
and a sincere thanks to the
Town Band for their music
and Army personnel, especially
Piper Niall Kenny.”
It was then the turn of
Mullingar Major Cllr. John
Shaw , and he welcomed
everyone “on a very special
day in Mullingar for
the unveiling of this 1916
monument”.
He paid special tribute to
Mullingar Tidy Towns and
the sub-committee up who
made the day possible. I
want to acknowledge
Eamonn McGowan, Jason
McKevitt, Ger O’ Connor,
Tomás Nally, Anita
Kennedy, William Collentine
and of course Bill Collentine.
We remember the
volunteers today who
fought and died for Irish
freedom. The word volunteer
has always been synonymous
with Irish culture
and Irish society. The people
who are involved in this
committee have freely
given up their time over the
past number of months to
make this a reality.,” he
said, asking Bill Collentine
to cut the tape and open the
monument.
A MOVING
CONTRIBUTION
Mr. Collentine, in a moving
heartfelt speech which
captured the hearts of the
attendance intently to the
heart felt words. “Today is
the highpoint for us, as a
result of many months of
work, to recognise those
who’ve gone before us and
their contribution to both
our republic and our community.
We stand here
today in thanks and solidarity
and remember the
sacrifices that they made
on our behalf. As a community,
it is only proper that
these sacrifices are given
permanent recognition so
that our descendents may
also learn from and respect
our forefathers.
Mullingar Tidy Towns
has long been seen as a
well-respected and hard
working organisation. We
feel that we have delivered
a quality memorial for the
community and it will also
make a significant historical
tourist attraction to our
town.”
Praising the hard work of
his fellow committee members,
Mr. Collentine also
thanked all those who had
made the day such a moving
event. “The monument
was built by local tradesman.
There are simply too
many people to thank for
making the day as big a
success as it is. We want to
thank the hard-working
people of Mullingar town
for their support as well as
Westmeath County Council
who supported us through
the Department of Arts,
Heritage and the Gaeltacht,
Waterways Ireland, Westmeath
Topic, Westmeath
Examiner, the Defence
Forces, An Garda
Síochana, Civil Defence,
local businesses, Mullingar
Jason McKevitt reading The Proclamation during Monday’s opening ceremony at the Green Bridge.
Chamber, Mullingar Town
Band and Mullingar
Gaelscoil Choir and the
many other groups and
sponsors and of course,
our local schools who
added so much to our time
capsule and indeed, the
event here today.
“I would also like to
thank the Tús workers who
carried out tremendous
work for Mullingar Tidy
Towns over the last number
of years, making
Mullingar a better place.
We must also mention a
special member who is
here today in spirit- the late
John O’ Neill, our recently
Army personnel render honours,
as Lieut. Robert Duggan raises
the Tricolour during the official
opening of the Green Bridge
1916 Memorial Garden.
deceased Secretary who
had such a passion for
Mullingar Tidy Town and
indeed, the community of
Mullingar. We know that
John would be proud of
our work and we are very
proud to have his family
here today to represent
him. May he rest in peace.
Finally I would like to
thank you, the people of
Mullingar. This is a vibrant
and bustling town with
many hard-working and
proud people within it. We
hope this monument, your
monument, will be a place
that you can visit and be
proud of.”
OVERWHELMED BY
RESPONSE
The committee Secretary
Tomás Nally also took to
the stand to speak about
the meaning behind the
time capsule. “Today we
look back on over 100 years
of freedom. Our forefathers
never could have
envisioned the progress
and changes that we would
take in that period and I am
sure they would be
awestruck. To mark this,
our sub-committee wanted
to include a time capsule
within this historic monument.
To say we were at
the response to this project
is an understatement . I
would like to thank all
those who took time to add
to this unique undertaking
including voluntary
groups, businesses and
local schools and many
more.We have included
medals, coins, photographs
and heart warming stories
of the people of Mullingarreserving
a snippet of time
that can be looked at in
another 100 years.”
Following an eloquently
delivered history on the
events of the 1916 Rising in
Mullingar by Jason McKevitt,
the proclamation was
unveiled by Ger O’ Connor
and Anita Kennedy after
which the memorial
received a blessing by Fr.
Padraig McMahon and Rev.
Alastair Graham.
After a minute’s silence
dedicated to those who lost
their lives during the Rising,
a touching Piper’s
Lament by Private Niall
Kelly followed by the
impressive raising of the
Tricolour by Lieut. Robert
Duggan, as the Army unit
from Custume Barracks in
Athlone rendered honours.
It brought a tear to some
eyes, as Mullingar’s great
Army tradition once again
returned briefly to the
town, to haunt the memories
of old soldiers and
comrades in arms who had
soldiered together on foreign
fields, some in the now
famous Siege of Jadotville.
Mullingar Civil Defence
was represented by Brian
Gillen and other members,
with local public representatives,
including Town
Mayor, Cllr. John Shaw,
Robert Troy TD, Cllr. Ken
Glynn and former Oireachtas
member Donie Cassidy
also present.
"COME AND RESPECT
AND REFLECT HERE"
Concluded Cllr. Bill Collentine,
on behalf of the
Tidy Towns committee:
“The national flag will be
flown above the monument
to represent the integrity
and the aspirations of the
Irish men and women
involved, and I invite you
to come and use and
respect this area to reflect
and teach your children
and your grandchildren
about the Rising and how
our nation was born. Today
we mark a point in history
and we are proud to do so.
On behalf of Mullingar
Tidy Towns, I thank you for
your support and hope that
in 100 years time, a group
like us will also be here to
celebrate freedom at this
monument.” Mr Collentine
ended, to widespread
applause.
The new stone memorial
was built with panache
and skill by local craftsman
Philip Smyth (assisted by
John Corrigan) and was
tastefully completed by the
seven saplings and standard
carrying the National
Flag, as well as the stone
seat and the stone plaque
publicly displaying the 1916
Proclamation, placed above
the time capsules in the
monument.

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
Buachloch Nua Curtha le Stór Seod Clainne na mBreatnach
Yet Another Precious Addition
To Walsh Family Jewels
In this good old town of
Mullingar and for many a good
Irish mile around it, there can
scarcely be a living soul that is
unaware that on 14 March,
2017, one of our best known
businesses, Walsh Jewellers of 14
Oliver Plunkett St., celebrated its
100th birthday − a feat exceedingly
rare indeed for a family
firm. The present proprietors,
Geraldine and Des, having come
through submersion by a veritable
tsunami of congratulations,
tributes and good wishes − all
thoroughly merited − from
friends, neighbours, customers
and fellow members of the business
community, found themselves
this Easter weekend,
unexpectedly but no less deservingly,
in receipt of further
acclaim and distinction.
Glór an Mhuilinn, the
Mullingar craobh of Conradh na
Gaeilge, presented them with
the trophy awarded annually to
that local business person or
establishment that over the preceding
year has made the most
striking and impressive use of
the national language. Their
unwavering support for Irish
and the status they accord it are
clearly demonstrated in the centenary
“fógra” on their window
1996
AUGUSTINIAN FRIARS
One of the most important
archaeological finds in Westmeath
in decades was made in
October of 1996 when workmen
building a new supermarket at
Barrack Street, Mullingar, uncovered
the skeletons of 35 Augustinian
Friars, whose priory had
been located in the area
between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Four of the friars were wearing
scallop shells, indicating that
they had made the pilgrimage
to Santiago de Compostello in
Spain. The archaeological team
who carried out the examination
of the site, led by Michael
Gibbons, were very excited by
the discovery.
WESTMEATH VEC
A report by the Comptroller
and Auditor General into the
workings of Westmeath VEC in
the early nineties was issued.
The report was highly critical
of the VEC, which had run up a
significant deficit. They were
criticised for spending money
acquiring properties in Westmeath
and in France without
Departmental permission; for
overspending on salaries for
some staff and for expenses
claims put in by an extraordinarily
large delegation of 26 at a
conference at which all other
counties had sent a maximum of
four delegates. There were calls
for the VEC board to resign but
the new CEO stated that the situation
was now being rectified
and the deficit eliminated.
1996/1997
and in the use of the language
in their Irish window promotions
each year.
Love of their town and of its
people and history, so potent a
determining force in all their
activities, business and public,
and indeed written works, is a
love that obviously extends to
embrace all the characteristic
and defining features of their
nation and its life, past and present.
Some other salient and
extremely interesting aspects of
the Walsh family business and
history deserve a mention here
also, however fleeting. Their
connections with so many other
prominent Mullingar families,
such as the Mulreadys, the
Moynihans and the Feelys, drew
the suggestion from some wag
that they could and should elect
their own TD!
Remarkable too is the example
of woman power which the firm
affords over the generations.
Des’s father, Brendan, was manager
of a local business, and also
chairman of the Leinster Council
of the GAA, the firm being then
run by Des’s mother. Des himself
continues to work to this day as
an accountant with Gibson and
Fletcher, while Geraldine looks
after the family jewels! − And
GROWTH
Mullingar was growing and
spreading westwards as planning
permission was given for
165 new houses in the
Sarsanstown and Farranfolliet
townlands (now Ardleigh/Ardilaun).
Plans for a ring road to
connect the Ballymahon, Ballynacargy
and Castlepollard Roads
were also announced.
REFERENDUM
A referendum was held in
November on tightening the law
concerning the granting of bail.
Despite widespread concern at
crime, the turnout was only 28%
in Westmeath. The referendum
was carried, with around 78% of
local voters voting in favour.
CENSUS
There was a Census in April and
the preliminary results showed a
2.2% increase in the Westmeath
population since 1991 - with the
population now standing at
63,236. The combined Mullingar
urban and rural electoral districts
and adjoining districts now
had a population of 31,534,
while the Athlone urban and
rural districts (excluding the
Roscommon hinterland), stood
at 22,549. Kinnegad's population
had risen to 633 and the
Ballymore and Coole districts
now stood at 1,935 and 1,653
people respectively.
SPORT
In sport, the county Senior
Hurling Championship was won
by Lough Lene Gaels and the
Football Title was claimed by
Coralstown/Kinnegad. Rochfortbridge
were once more the
Our picture shows Geraldine and Des Walsh receiving their trophy from the
Cathaoirleach of Glór an Mhuilinn, Seán Mac Aodh, to mark their efforts
during Seachtain na Gaeilge in Mullingar. Also included are Glór members
Muiris Sionóid and Tomás Ó Ciarnáin.
this extraordinary tradition is rounding countryside to service through which the town and its
continuing.
and reset the grandfather people have passed over several
Their thriving business has clocks; to the present uninhabited
generations. It has survived
been at the heart of Mullingar
life for over a century now −
from the days of the living Oliver
Plunkett Street full of families;
and of the jeweller’s resident
watchmaker who twice annually,
thoroughfare where not a
loaf of bread may be bought,
teeming with pedestrian shoppers
and automobiles by day
and virtually deserted by night.
Walsh’s has been a register and a
because it deserves to survive.
May it do so for many generations
to come!
Gura fada buan iad Deasún,
Gearóidín agus a gclann. Guímid
rath agus séan trí mhórán glúnta
in his pony and trap, visited barometer of all the changes romhainn ar a ngnó geal
all the fine houses of the sur-
and configurations and states galánta!
Ladies Football champions and
St Munna's took the senior
Camogie honours. Rochfortbridge
were finalists in the Leinster
Ladies Football Club
Championship.
Alo Kelly from Miltownpass
won Gold at the International
Novi Sad Boxing Championships
in Serbia. Cormac Finnerty from
Mullingar was a member of
Team Ireland at the Olympic
Games in Atlanta and just
missed out on a place in the
5000 metres final. Rose McCormack
from Kilbeggan won the
Ladies' National Matchplay
Championship in Pitch & Putt
and Sharon Reilly from
Mullingar won a Silver Medal in
the Cross Country Race at the
European Transplant Games in
Switzerland.
ARTS/CULTURE
In the arts and culture field,
the year saw the first performance
in Mullingar of Verdi's
Requiem, which was performed
in the cathedral by the
Mullingar Choral Society. Westmeath
actress Tina Kellegher
starred in a popular new BBC TV
series called ‘Ballykissangel’...
The Eurovision Song Contest was
won by Ireland. The winning
entry ‘The Voice’ was written by
Brendan Graham from
Mullingar, who had also written
Ireland's 1994 winning Eurovision
entry ‘Rock'n Roll Kids’.
NOTABLE DEATHS
The former Roman Catholic
Bishop of Meath, Dr John
McCormack, died in September
of 1996 and one of Westmeath's
most colourful politicians, Gerry
L'Estrange died in the same year.
OTHER EVENTS
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool,
Cllr Frank Doran, visited
Mullingar in November, at the
invitation of Mullingar Commission
Chairman, Frank McIntyre.
Mullingar born author,
Josephine Hart became Lady
Saatchi when her husband, Maurice
Saatchi, was awarded a Life
Peerage by the British Premier,
John Major.
In April, Brian Fagan from
Mullingar became the first person
from Ireland to parachute
onto the North Pole.
1997
A General Election took place
in June, which led to Fianna Fáil
returning to government. In
Westmeath, the election was
most notable for the extraordinary
success of Willie Penrose,
who topped the poll, bucking
the national trend which saw
Labour decimated. Paul
McGrath and Mary O’Rourke
were also re-elected. A few
months later, the voters of Westmeath
went to the polls again to
elect the eighth President of Ireland.
Mary McAleese, the Fianna Fáil
candidate, was the poll topper
in Westmeath. On a turnout of
48%, she secured 10,653 first
preference votes, with Fine
Gael's Mary Benotti taking just
under 6,000 first preferences
and the Independent candidate,
Dana, receiving 3,770 number
1s. In the Seanad elections,
Donie Cassidy topped the polls
and Camillus Glynn was elected
for the first time.
INFORMATION AGE
The ‘Information Age’ was
beginning to make an impact on
Westmeath by 1997. Mullingar
Chamber of Commerce organised
information meetings
where people could discover
how to use the internet and
email. Many teenage boys were
thrilled to have the chance to
view the website of the Spice
Girls and to send the band
emails declaring their devotion!
CELTIC TIGER
The era of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ was
now under way and Mullingar
was declared to be "booming",
with unemployment falling and
house prices soaring. The Harbour
Shopping Centre opened,
as did Buckley's SuperValu store.
BROTHER LARRY TIM-
MONS
There was great shock in Westmeath
when Delvin born Franciscan
Brother, Larry Timmons
was shot dead at his mission station
in Lare, Kenya, where he
had worked for many years. The
police claimed that he had been
killed by crossfire during a gun
battle between police and robbers.
But his colleagues and
parishioners believed that
Brother Timmons had been murdered
by the police because he
had challenged corruption
among the police and local
politicians. His funeral was
attended by Westmeath TDs and
representatives of the President
and Taoiseach. County Councillors
urged the Government to
put pressure on the Kenyan
authorities to get to the truth
about the killing.
SPORT
In sport, St Joseph's School,
Rochfortbridge, reached the
finals of the All Ireland Basketball
Championships. The Senior
County Camogie Championship
was won by St Munna's for the
tenth consecutive time, while
Rochfortbridge made it ten victories
in a row in the Ladies
Football Championship. The
Hurling Senior Title was won by
Castlepollard and Moate were
Football champions. Christy
Joyce and Ray Charles from
Mullingar won the All Ireland
60x30 Junior Handball Championship.
Orla Clarke from Loughnavalley,
a member of Mullingar
Harriers, became All Ireland
High Jump Champion.
CULTURE/ARTS
The world of culture and the
arts in 1997 saw Mullingar born
actor, Terry McMahon take on a
role in ‘Fair City’. Loreto College
Senior Choir, Mullingar, won the
National Schools Choir competition.
OTHER NEWS
In other news that year, a
woman with Mullingar connections,
Cllr Margaret Clarke,
became Lord Mayor of Liverpool.
Mullingar native, Monsignor
Ray Field was appointed
Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin. After
extensive renovations, Mullingar
Cathedral re-opened in November
with a special Mass.
At the end of the year, in which
divorce became legal in Ireland,
it was reported that 4.5% of
Westmeath couples were
divorced or separated. Three
divorce petitions were lodged
with the local courts in 1997.
NEWS
13
PLANNING NOTICES
WESTMEATH COUNTY
COUNCIL: We, Noel
Kennedy & Tony Maloney,
wish to apply to Westmeath
County Council for
permission to demolish
existing outbuildings/ storage
sheds and permission
to construct a new 37.4
sq.m single storey food
pick up point, new 45.1
sq.m store, installation of
new wheelchair accessible
toilet and for permission to
retain the conversion of
existing 18.0 sq.m building
form store area to kitchen
area and all ancillary site
services at Blackhall St,
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
The application may be
inspected, or purchased at
a fee not exceeding the
reasonable cost of making
a copy, at the offices of the
Planning Authority,
Mullingar Municipal District
Offices, County Buildings,
Mullingar, during its public
opening hours. A submission
or observation in relation
to the application may
be made in writing to the
planning authority at the
above offices on payment
of the prescribed fee, €20,
within the period of 5
weeks beginning on the
date of receipt by the
authority of the application,
and such submissions or
observations will be considered
by the planning
authority in making a decision
on the application.
The planning authority
may grant permission subject
to or without conditions,
or may refuse to
grant permission.
WESTMEATH COUNTY
COUNCIL: Pertshear Ltd,
intend to apply for full planning
permission for development
at Rathgrave
Estate, Water Street,
Townparks, Castlepollard,
Co Westmeath. The development
consists of to (A)
complete 2 no. two storey
3 bed semi-detached
dwellings (House Type 1),
2 no. two storey 3 bed
semi-detached dwellings
(House Type 4) works currently
at sub floor level as
per previous Planning Ref
072186, (B) to construct 2
no. two storey 3 bed semidetached
dwellings
(House Type 2), (C) construct
3 no. two storey 3
bed terrace type dwellings
(House Type 3), (D) relocate
existing ESB mini
substation (E) connect to
existing on site mains services
(F) complete all
ancillary site works as previously
granted under
Planning Ref No. 072186
with revised site layout and
site boundaries from that
previously granted. The
planning application may
be inspected or purchased,
at a fee not
exceeding the reasonable
cost of making a copy, at
the offices of the Planning
Authority at Mullingar
Municipal District Offices,
County Buildings Mullingar
during its public opening
hours. A submission or
observation in relation to
the application may be
made in writing to the planning
authority at the above
office on payment of the
prescribed fee, €20, within
the period of 5 weeks
beginning on the date of
receipt by the planning
authority of the application
and such submissions or
observations will be considered
by the planning
authority in making a decision
on the application.
The planning authority
may grant permission subject
to or without conditions,
or may refuse to
grant permission. Michael
Hetherton Arch & Eng Services
Ltd, Unit 3, Cavan
Street, Oldcastle, Co
Meath 049 8542911.
WESTMEATH COUNTY
COUNCIL: I, Orla McDonnell
wish to apply to Westmeath
County Council for
permission to construct 1
No. storey half dwelling,
garage, mini waste water
treatment system and polishing
filter, alter existing
entrance onto road and all
associated site works at
Rathnure, Tyrellspass,
Co.Westmeath. The planning
application may be
inspected or purchased at
a fee not exceeding the
reasonable cost of making
a copy, at the offices of the
Planning Authority,
Mullingar Municipal District
Office, County Buildings,
Mullingar, during its public
opening hours and that a
submission or observation
in relation to the application
may be made to the
authority in writing on payment
of the prescribed fee
,€20.00, within the period
of 5 weeks beginning on
the date of receipt by the
authority of the application.
Deadline for receipt of
planning is
TUESDAY, 12 NOON
TOPIC • 044 9348868

14 NEWS
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
‘WE NEED
Peter Burke T.D.
Best wishes
to
Mullingar
Tidy Towns
Blackhall Court,
Blackhall,
Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath.
Tel 044 9385044
Email:
peter.burke@oir.ie
WOODS PHARMACY
Dominick St., Mullingar, Tel 044 9348409
Best wishes to
Mullingar Tidy Towns Committee
- keep up the good work!
JUNGLE
BOUNCE
YOUR HELP’
Mullingar Tidy Town’s Committee appeal for assistance
MULLINGAR Tidy
Town’s Committee has
long been one of the
hardest working
groups in the town in
recent years, and this
year already, they have
excelled themselves,
having successfully
undertaken a very
ambitious local project,
and are at present
looking for new members
to help make 2017
the tidiest year yet for
the capital town of
Westmeath.
Speaking to Topic,
Chairperson Bill Collentine
spoke about
some of the many projects
the group has
undertaken recently
which include the addition
of bat boxes along
the canal, litter picking,
cutting and general
upkeep of the
grass, as well as the
sowing of flowers and
shrubs along the
banks. “We are working
together with
Inland Fisheries Ireland
to organise a fishing
competition to
bring more activity
back to the canal. We
are also working with
Waterways Ireland to
get the most out of our
water areas.” The committee
also hope to create
a natural heritage
trail which will link
areas of historical
interest throughout the
town.
On Easter Monday of
this week 17 April, the
Tidy Town’s 1916 Centenary
Sub Committee
saw their special 2016-
17 project - putting in
place a new and permanent
Mullingar 1916-
2016 Memorial Park,
beside the Green
Bridge and Mullingar
Fair Green, in place.
As readers will know,
the new Memorial
park, unveiled this
week, has greatly
enhanced this area of
the town. Adding to the
historical significance
of the stone-built monument
is the fact that
GREAT VALUE
ON THE
EUROSAVER MENU
Pearse Street,
Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath
Mullingar Town Park has had major improvements in recent years.
the Green Bridge area
saw action during the
War of Independence
in Mullingar, when
Gen. Sean MacEoin,
the “Blacksmith of Ballinalee”,
during his
escape from British soldiers
at Mullingar Railway
Station, was shot
at the Green Bridge,
and taken, seriously
wounded, to the Military
Barracks. The
location of the memorial
was selected due to
its proximity to
Columb Barracks and
the railway station, on
the banks of the canal
which can never be
Best wishes from
built on.
“For the monument
we got local tradesman
to do the all work and
sourced most of the
materials locally too.
We are very proud of
the work carried out by
local Stonemason
Philip Smith and
helper John Corrigan,”
Mr. Colletine added.
SEEKING YOUR HELP
As part of the An
Táisce National Spring
Clean effort, the
Mullingar Tidy Towns
committee are asking
Mullingar residents to
come out and help keep
THE LANE CLUB
39 Oliver Plunkett Street
Mullingar
www.thelaneclub.com
their own town clean
on the last Saturday of
this month, 29 April at
11am.
“The idea is that we
will all meet up at Market
Square near the Joe
Dolan statue and filter
out into the general
town area and the
approach roads.”Anita
Kennedy, Tidy Towns
Administrator, exp -
lained.
The committee said
they are also hoping
that Resident’s Associations
will take part in
the big clean up. “We
are always looking for
new members and
hopefully through the
National Spring Clean
plan, we might find
some people who will
be willing to come on
board and help out
with Tidy Towns and
the many different projects
we have going on.”
Ms. Kennedy said that
new volunteers would
be especially welcome
with the national Tidy
Town’s Competition
swiftly approaching.
“Judging for the competition
will start in
June and go on until
August. We never know
when the judges are
coming, so have to have
the town looking it’s
best all the time!”
She said that the
Westmeath County
Council have been very
supportive with regard
to the National Spring
Clean, providing them
with materials including
pickers, bags and
gloves, as well as with
the many other projects
they have undertaken
through the
years. “We want to
bring the community
together; when you volunteer
for these things
you form new friendships
so it’s a great way
of socialising as well.”
Mullingar Tidy
Towns has been the
main force in recent
years behind the
improved rankings of
the town in both the
Irish Business Against
Litter (IBAL) and the
Tidy Town’s Competition,
while thanks must
also go to the outdoor
staff members of Westmeath
County Council -
including the early
morning street cleaners,
who each week do
an excellent job in
removing the untidiness
of the “night
before” effects, especially
at weekends -
with, be it said, the
local rook, jackdaw and
seagull denizens also
participating in their
own “very early” morning
clean-up and
removal scheme even
before the Council
workers arrive!
In 2015, Mullingar
was awarded a very
respectable 19th position
in the ‘Clean to
European norms’ category
with the report
stating, “Seven out of
ten sites surveyed in
Mullingar got the top
litter grade – some of
the very good sites
included Fair Green
Shopping Centre,
Mullingar Train Station
and the Recycle
Facility – these sites
were not just clear of
litter, but were freshly
presented and maintained.”
’S PEST CONTROL
Contd. on page 15
The Pest Control Specialists
Supporting Tidy Towns
by keeping
Mullingar Pest Free
Tel: 044 93 55985
www.lambertspestcontrol.ie

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
15
Encouraging the spirit of Tidy
Towns and Villages Committees
is important
Just one of the town’s many roundabout displays is
located at Dominick Street, Mullingar.
Mullingar continues to make real progress
THERE have been
plenty of encouraging
signs of an
improving spirit
amongst the local
Tidy Towns committees,
not only
in Mullingar, but
right across all
the other towns
and villages in
Westmeath. Publicly
acknowledging
the com -
m i tment of the se
voluntary and
community workers
involved is of
real importance.
Last year, Mullingar
Tidy Towns committee’s
additional efforts
resulted in an
improvement on the
previous year’s total
by a significant 10
points.
Even though other
local Westmeath
entries surpassed this
in terms of extra
points gained,
Mullingar, as one of
the midlands’ largest
Tidy Towns
Competition 2016
LAST year Mullingar received a very impressive
score of 277 - a 10 mark improvement on it’s 2015
score. In the report. the adjudicators congratulated
the team on their community involvement
and planning. “Your hard-working committee of
11 members is applauded on the excellent work
that it is doing for your town and we would
strongly encourage you to go on a recruitment
drive for new members as larger numbers would
enable you to tackle a greater number and more
ambitious projects.”
The group was also complimented on their work
with local schools which they have continued this
year, organising activities such as birdwatching.
The group is also involved with the scouts with
whom they organised a clean up as well as helped
plant trees along the canal.
Tidy Towns Secretary Tomás Nally said the
group were hoping to reach out to locals who were
interested in ensuring their town is looking it’s
best for all visitors. “ We are looking for people
who take pride in being from Mullingar and want
to give back to their own community. We’d like
them to come to us with ideas for this, and in particular,
for their own areas.
The Tidy Towns Committee is a non-political
organisation and one that listens to all its members.
It has always been a very hard-working committee
such as John O’ Neill, our secretary. John
really breathed new life into it but sadly, he
passed away last year. We are trying to build on
his legacy and go onwards and upwards”, said
Tomás.
Great atmosphere
Parties catered for
Live Sports Shown
every day
Patrick Street, Mullingar
044 93 40932
towns, made real
progress.
This year, the efforts
to date by the
Mullingar committee,
particularly their
major 1916 Memorial
Park project close to
the Green Bridge
must surely leave
them in line for a further
jump in marks,
and for edging their
way further up the
national Tidy Towns
ladder. Mullingar
town has a lot of
attractive elements,
once they are well presented,
and ‘marketed’
in the best
sense of that oftenmisused
word.
The more co-operation
they are given by
local residents and
communities, particularly
by people in
active local committees
who are making
sure their own areas
are kept litter free and
looking well, the better
will be the outcome
for Mullingar.
We would appeal to
all residents’ groups,
on behalf of
Mullingar Tidy
Towns, particularly
in areas where good
voluntary work has
been their hallmark
over recent years, to
help and encourage
other areas to adopt a
similar proactive
approach towards littering.
In recent days, we’ve
seen teams of people
out in half a dozen
towns and villages
across the country,
with up to 20 people
on these teams. Only
if Mullingar, Athlone
and all the local Tidy
Towns entrants make
a similar effort can
they hope to keep up
with the improvements
emerging in
these other entries
from other counties.
GETTING RID OF LIT-
TER
Litter bins are very
important, be it said,
and even if the Coun-
Contd. on page 16
Get involved...
As the Mullingar Tidy Town’s Committee
prepare for the arrival of the national judges
they would welcome any help people can
offer. Adjudicators can arrive at any time
between June and August so the committee
is currently looking for people to help with
admin roles, fundraising as well as general
upkeep. If you would like to get involved
phone Chairperson, Bill Collentine on 086 245
9216.
SMIDDYS
Dominick Street, Mullingar
BOOKA BRASS
Friday 5th May
Tickets €15
POINTS ARE RISING
Mr. Collentine said the committee
are currently working on
a three year plan to identify
areas that need improving,
which they will they will complete
shortly. “We are fortunate
to have had work carried out
through the Tús Scheme which
does a serious amount of work
Dog fouling
for Mullingar.”
Mr. Nally said that the Tidy
Towns judges had provided the
group with a lot of helpful information
regarding what they
need to work on as an organisation.
“There is an awful lot of
work behind the scenes that
goes on that many people don’t
Dog fouling is a health hazard and spoils walkways and amenities for everybody. Dog
faeces carry various infections including toxocariasis. This is caused by roundworms in
the dog’s intestines. Children are most vulnerable to the serious effects of this
infection which can result in eye disorders, dizziness, nausea, asthma and epileptic fits.
Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997-2003, dog owners are legally obliged
to clean up after their dog if they go to the toilet in public places e.g. on the street or in
green areas of housing estates and a fine of €150 can be imposed if they do not.
Failure to pay this fine can result in prosecution with a maximum fine of €3,000 on
conviction.
Westmeath County Council have recently launched the Green Dog
Walkers Initiative which is a non confrontational and friendly way
to change attitudes about dog fouling. The philosophy of this
campaign is to start changing public attitudes so that it becomes
socially unacceptable not to clean up after your dog.
This campaign is based on a person taking a “pledge” to:
• Clean up after their dog
• Wear the GDW hi vis vest or carry the GDW bag dispenser
(dog collar attachment) when walking their dog
• Carry extra dog waste bags
• Be happy to be approached to “lend” a dog waste bag to those without
• Be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dog/s
The toolkit has the following items:
• Guidebook on how to roll out the campaign
• Pledge forms & pens
• Posters & cable ties
• Hi vis vests
• Bag dispenser (attaches to dog collar)
• Children’s colouring sheets (to educate from as early as possible)
Please note that the person who takes the pledge is given either the hi vis vest OR the
dog collar attachment but not both.
The pledge forms are returned to the Environment Section,
Westmeath County Council so that the Council can monitor
the progress of the roll out of this campaign throughout the county.
DOG FOULING is a nuisance both county and nationwide and
it is with assistance from the public in rolling out this campaign
that attitudes can be changed to make a real difference.
realise. It’s not just a case of
going out and planting flowers.
There is a very rigid point system
that they use. Westmeath
County Council have been really
supportive and they are very
interested in the work that we
are hoping to do”

16 TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
Encouraging the spirit of Tidy Towns and
Villages Committees is important
Contd. from page 15
cil cannot supply new
bins in this regard, it
should be possible for
an active committee,
to purchase, put in
place, and even empty
their own bins, provided
it is placed in a
highly visible spot,
where some people
inclined to dump
their household into a
bin, find it awkward
to do so. A bin
beneath a street light
or even strapped to
the pole, would be
one beneficial location,
we suggest.
Where residents in
an area see anyone
throwing away litter
openly, they should
politely tell them they
regard this as an antisocial
act, and
politely, but firmly
advise them to
remove their rubbish.
If any such litterers
realise that their local
community frowns on
such behaviour, they
should learn to be
more careful and
civic-minded.
The standard litter
bin has proved more
effective for litter control
due to its greater
capacity and
restricted opening, it
was clearly stated at
several Council meetings
over recent
years. Having a good
bin for litter in place
in an area and appealing
on it for care and
consideration is a
good Tidy Towns
advertisement.
It is great to see all
the wonderful results
this year for the towns
and villages from last
year, and to see former
All-Ireland winners
like Tyrrellspass and
Multyfarnham moving
well back into the Tidy
Towns fray in recent
years.
The County Council
officials including
local engineers and
outdoor staff who play
such a valuable part in
Tidy Towns work are to
be complimented also
on their contributions,
and regular removal of
litter and rubbish - like
the Mullingar street
cleaners, whose early
morning work is so
valuable to the town
and area. Similarly in
other areas, and in the
local towns and villages
community
efforts and such cooperation
can be of
huge value.
STREAMSTOWN
AN EXAMPLE
In rural Westmeath
for example, one need
only look at the massive
improvement at
Streamstown Village,
which had been
unfairly dubbed by an
Irish tabloid as the
most untidy village in
Ireland”. The sensation-seeking
tabloid
newspaper got a local
photograph at the time,
seeking to justify their
story, and the Streamstown
residents were
rightly affronted by
this. Curiously, while
Streamstown has since
become one of the leading
Tidy Towns entries
in Westmeath, through
the local community
efforts, their work has
got no positive publicity
in the same Sunday
tabloid. Only news
that can be seen as ‘bad
THE EARLY MORNING CLEANERS.....
As our photo shows, the County Council outdoor workers - out very early in the
mornings to clean away the rubbish of previous hours and to empty the bins, do a first
class job, almost unnoticed, and the local rook, jackdaw and gull population, like the rook
pictured, also clean away much of the food remains - even before the human street
cleaners arrive, including removal of the effects of over-indulgence in food and drink....
news’ it seems, attracts
some media people.
As the then local Cllr.
Joe Flanagan, said at
the time, “ the gutter
press came down and
portrayed a terrible
picture of Streamstown.”
But Streamstown
people gave the
lie to the defaming of
their local area, and
fair-minded people
have since acknowledged
their fine work
and major advances.
PRIDE IN MULLINGAR
Secretary, Tomås Nally also
praised locals who were quick to
offer words of support to the committee
on their achievement. “People
have been brilliant and very
supportive of the 1916 memorial and
we have been delighted with the feedback.
We have had people stopping
members of the committee on the
street and saying it was a great thing
to do. It’s going to be there for
another 100 years hopefully if not
more.”
He said that making sure the town
stays clean and tidy is down to everyone
in lives there. “It’s not about anyone
being burdened with a huge
amount of work. It’s about everybody
just doing a small little bit.”
You can find out more about committee’s
upcoming projects and
activities on their Facebook page
Mullingar Tidy Towns.
GREVILLE ARMS HOTEL
Michael English
Sunday 14th May
Pearse Street,
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Phone: 044 93 48564
THE CHURCH
RESTAURANT
Castle Street, Mullingar
• Evening Menu
4 courses €27.95 • 2 courses €19.95
• Lunch Specials
3 courses only €10.00
Tel: 044 9332517
info@churchrestaurantmullingar.ie
Austin Friars Street, Mullingar
044 934 9476
LATE NIGHT PHARMACY
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat 9am - 9pm
Sunday: 11am - 7pm
TOPIC.IE
99C
PER WEEK
Assumpta Begley
T/A Tommy Begley Taxi Service
& Mullingar Taxi Cabs
Tel: 087 909 4494
Freeph: 1800 520222
• Fast Efficient Safe Taxi Service
• 1-8 passengers
www.mullingartaxis.com
ALL MAJOR
DEBIT/CREDIT
CARDS ACCEPTED
Catering for Elderly & Infirmed
/ Wheelchair accessible
Call in and talk to a member of
staff about our homecare range -
Allowing Independent Living
in Your Own Home

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
17
LILLIPUT 5K SERIES GETS OFF TO A GREAT START
BY CLAIRE CORRIGAN
DOZENS of locals
were donning their
best active wear at Lilliput
House on
Wednesday, 5 April to
take part in the third
Lilliput 5km Series- a
5km event aimed at
amateur runners who
are looking to
improve their fitness.
Organiser Frankie
Wright said the races take
place over three Wednesdays
and are aimed at people
who have not much
previous running experience.
“It is a very flat
course and also it’s not an
Athletics Ireland (AI) event
so it’s not going to be for
really serious athletes. It’s
really for people who might
not be all that comfortable
among top athletes and it
gives them a chance to go
out and enjoy it.”
The race consists of a two
lap course which means
that there is an opportunity
for participants to opt
out halfway through if
they wish. “If somebody is
feeling the strain, a person
can take a lap out. It’s just
really aimed at allowing
people to have some fun.
The fact that it takes place
over three weeks also
means that participants
can document their
progress as the weeks went
on.”
Frankie is organising
another fitness based event
at the Lilliput which will
take place this August- an
Ironman Weekend and
which will be the first of
it’s kind in Ireland, is in aid
of Saplings Autism.
He said there will be a
range of different options
available over the weekend
for individuals who are
feeling particularly adventurous.
“You can do the full
Ironman on the Saturday
and there are trilogies of
marathons on on the Saturday,
Sunday and Monday so
there is a load of events
on.”
Frankie said he believed
that events like the Lilliput
5km series are the ideal
place for anyone who is
thinking about getting fit
to begin their journey.
“Here you’ll find, that if
you are struggling a little
bit, someone will put their
arm on your shoulder and
give you a little bit of
hand.”
He said that many of the
participants had saw dramatic
improvements in
their running times over
the three weeks. “We had
two ladies started off at 48
minutes and they finished
on 36 minutes by the time
they got to the third week
so that was a huge improvement.”
Thanks to programmes
such as Operation Transformation
there a rise in
the number of individuals
seeking to get fit in the last
number of years, a trend
Frankie is very much
aware of. “I was always into
this sort of thing but I
remember all the fads that
appeared through the years
when I was growing up like
squash courts and Jane
Fonda’s workout videos.
They always only lasted a
very short space of time
and then they were gone.
When everyone started to
run and cycle, I thought it
was another fad and that
there would shortly be lots
of bikes for cheap, but no,
it’s really growing and
growing. You have
Triathlons and Duathlons
and it’s getting bigger all
time. When we first started
to advertise the Ironman
weekend, I had people
inquiring if they could do
three marathons in a row
and back to back Ironmans.
It seems to be now the more
extreme it is, the more people
want to do it!”
The third and final race
of the series will be take
place on Wednesday at Lilliput
House, Lough Ennell
on 19 April at 7pm sharp.
For adults the price is €10
per race or €25 for three
races. For children U15 it is
€5 per race or €10 for three
races. The price includes
parking, race entry, marshalls,
first aid, use of the
showers and refreshments.
Those interested can register
at lilliputlegend.com/
5km-series.
David Lynn and
Michelle Hart pictured
at Lilliput House.
Stephen Cosgrave and Louise Clarke getting
ready to take part in the Lilliput 5km Series.
Amanda Horkan, Liz McGrath and Jenny
Percival and Patricia Connell.
Stephen O’ Neill and Mark Geoghegan were in
good spirits at the event.
Anna Redmond and Vanessa Armstrong.
Cathal Morgan and Niamh Murtagh were keen to
get started.
Joanna Daly, Paula Murray and Emer Savage pictured on the day.
Jonathan
Geraghty and
Melissa
Geraghty
pictured at
Lilliput House.
Sandra Garvin and Róisín Curneen pictured just
before the race kicked off.
Colm Dardis and Eoin Nugent pictured on
Wednesday evening.

18 TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
ENTERAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT&EVENTS
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
This is the first of two articles I
am doing in The Topic on
Alzheimer’s disease. This article
will explain the symptoms, stages
and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Next week’s article will
examine the causes and treatment
options available for
Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia is an umbrella term
used to describe various conditions
which damage brain cells
and lead to a loss of brain function
over time. Dementia causes
a progressive decline in a person’s
mental functioning. It is a
broad term, which describes a
loss of memory, intellect, rationality,
social skills and normal
emotional reactions. Alzheimer's
disease, the most common cause
of dementia in Ireland, accounts
for more than 50% of all cases.
The second most common form
is vascular dementia; it accounts
for 20 to 30% of cases and is a
form of dementia, which may be
preventable. The symptoms of
dementia develop gradually over
a period of years. The progression
of these diseases is largely
unpredictable for each individual.
The facts in brief
Due to an increasingly ageing
population, the number of people
with dementia in Ireland is
expected to rise from the current
level of 42,000 to almost 150,000
over the next 25 years or so. 11
new cases of dementia are diagnosed
on a daily basis. 36 - 53%
of dementia sufferers in Ireland
experience a mild-moderate
degree of the condition. 35% of
dementia sufferers have high
dependence levels.
76% of the overall care of all
dementia sufferers is taken up by
family members.
Dementia has a life changing
physical, emotional and mental
impact on the affected person
and their primary carer and family.
There are more than 100 conditions
that cause dementia.
While the risk of dementia
increases with age, it is not a natural
part of ageing.
Dementia affects approximately
one in 20 of people aged
over 65 years. This rises to one in
five in the 80 plus age group.
While it is comparatively rare,
dementia can affect younger
people.
There are approximately 3,800
people under 65 with Younger
Onset Dementia in Ireland.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for Alzheimer’s
include increasing age, being
female, family history, head
injury, parkinsons disease, low
thyroid levels, exposure to
dietary aluminium, cardiovascular
disease, smoking and high
alcohol intake.
Stages of Alzheimer’s
disease
Stage 1: Mild
Alzheimer’s disease
The mild stage of Alzheimer’s
disease can last from 2 to 4 years
or longer. People with mild
Alzheimer’s disease are usually
alert, sociable, and enjoy life, but
their forgetfulness can interfere
with daily living and may frustrate
them. They may be overly
emotional, temperamental and
may lose interest in things that
previously enjoyed.
Stage 2: Moderate
Alzheimer’s disease
The moderate stage of
Alzheimer’s disease is often the
longest, lasting from 2 to 10
years. Symptoms at this stage
include: Getting lost easily, even
in places they know well; becoming
more confused about recent
events; needing assistance with
or supervision with tasks such as
dressing; arguing more than
usual; believing things are real
when they are not; restlessness
and agitation; difficulty sleeping
and a tendency to wander.
Stage 3: Severe
Alzheimer’s Disease
The severe stage can last from 1
to 3 years or longer. People with
severe Alzheimer’s disease cannot
do things on their own anymore.
Constant care, 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, is usually
necessary.
Diagnosis
As there is no straightforward
test for Alzheimer’s disease, making
a diagnosis is often difficult,
particularly in the early stages. A
diagnosis is usually made by
excluding other causes such as
infection, vitamin deficiency, thyroid
problems, brain tumour,
depression and the side effects
of drugs, which all can produce
similar symptoms. Specialists can
only make a probable diagnosis.
However, specialists with experience
in memory loss are able to
diagnose Alzheimer’s disease to
within 80-90% accuracy.
Information Evening
Whelehans Pharmacy host a
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Information
evening in the Greville
Arms Hotel next Thursday, April
27th at 7pm. The event is free of
charge and all are welcome.
Speakers include:
Dr Michael O’Cuill, Consultant
Psychiatrist; leading Dementia
expert in Westmeath.
Mr Eamonn Brady, pharmacist
at Whelehans Pharmacy.
Donal Murphy, Regional Manager,
Alzheimer Society Ireland.
Book your place for the
evening by calling Whelehans at
04493 34591 or e-mail
health@whelehans.ie or simply
turn up on the night.
To be continued…next week in
the Westmeath Topic, I will discuss
treatment of Alzheimer’s
disease.
Disclaimer: Please ensure you
consult with your healthcare professional
before making any
changes recommended
For comprehensive and free
health advice and information
call in to Whelehans, log on to
www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493
34591.
You can also e-mail queries to
info@whelehans.ie.
Final tickets on sale
for Life Festival 2017
IRELAND’S summer festival
season will be kicking
off on the shores of Lough
Ennell outside Mullingar in
just over four weeks, when
Life 2017 gets underway.
Now in its twelfth year,
the festival attracts some of
the world’s premier underground
electronic musicians
to the picturesque
grounds of Belvedere
House, for three days and
nights of camping and
music.
This year’s line-up is the
festivals best yet, with a
global collaboration of
techno musicians including
favourites Eats Everything,
Nina Kraviz, Patrick Topping,
Alan Fitzpatrick,
Maya Jane Coles, DJ EZ,
Rudimental and Duke
Dumont.
There will be a strong contingent
of Irish DJs at this
year’s festival including
Sunil Sharpe, DJ Deece,
Kaily, Jamie Behan and
Maedbh O'Connor.
One of the most hotlyanticipated
DJs at this
year’s festival will be Resident
Advisor’s poll-topper,
Dixon.
Born Steffen Berkhahn,
the German DJ and Producer
grew up in East
Berlin and where he began
aiming for a career as a professional
footballer or a
long-distance runner, an
ambition that was thwarted
due to injury.
In the early 1990s he
began DJing under the
name Dixon in Berlin clubs
such as Turbine, Tresor, E-
Werk and WMF.
For several years he held
a weekly residency at WMF
with Mitja Prinz, which he
describes a key experience
in his formative years as a
DJ. His residencies at Tresor,
WMF and later Weekend
Club all involved
playing long sets. In a city
known in particular for
techno music, Dixon established
a reputation as a
deep house DJ.
Dixon's global prominence
as a DJ has grown
over the years through
appearances at clubs and
festivals worldwide. He was
voted No. 1 in Resident
Advisor's Top 100 DJ Poll in
2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
In terms of style, German
newspaper Die Welt credits
Dixon with "bringing back
vocals, drama and grand
emotions to the dancefloor"
after the electronic dance
music scene was dominated
by minimal techno.
Life Festival takes place
on the grounds of
Belvedere House, Mull -
ingar from 26 to 28 May. For
further information or to
purchase tickets visit
www.life-festival.com.
David McSavage brings his
take on modern Irish life
to Mullingar Arts Centre
THE ever-controversial
David McSavage is set to
bring his take on modern
Irish life to stage when he
plays at Mullingar Arts
Centre, for one night only,
on Monday, 29 April.
One of Ireland’s most
popular comedians and
street entertainers,
McSavage’s cutting commentary
and performances
cover all aspects
of life, and nothing is safe
from his truth induced
interpretations.
With his collection of
characters including
Mick The Barman, former
President Mary
Robinson and Pat Kenny,
audiences relate to each
character from the many
aspects of Irish life.
A regular guest on TV
and radio shows in Ireland
for many years,
McSavage has also
appeared at all the major
comedy festivals including
the Edinburgh Festival
and internationally in
Australia, Germany and
Scandinavia. He is wellknown
for his street
shows in Dublin’s Temple
Bar.
He devised Headwreckers
for the Channel 4 TV
show Comedy Lab in 2008.
In 2009, he devised,
wrote and starred in the
six part TV series called
The Savage Eye for RTÉ,
which was later nominated
for an IFTA award
for Best Entertainment
Series and Best Director.
In his new live show, A
Sacred Cow, McSavage
looks at the many former
and current institutions
which shape Ireland.
David McSavage plays
Mullingar Arts Centre on
Monday, 29 April. Tickets
are from €15 and are
available by calling the
Mullingar Arts Centre
box office on 044-934-7777
or online at
mullingarartscentre. ie
Dixon is one most hotly-anticipated DJs at this year’s Life Festival.
MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY MULLINGAR
STUDENT PLAYERS
HAIRSPRAY
17th – 22nd April at 8.00pm
The nicest kids in town, Mullingar Student Players bring
to life the iconic musical full of extra clutch volume –
HAIRSPRAY. It’s 1962 in Baltimore and quirky, plus-sized teenager Tracy Turnblad
has one dream: to dance on The Corny Collins Show. Featuring the hits ‘Good
Morning Baltimore’, ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’, ‘Welcome To The 80s’ and ‘I Know
Where I’ve Been’, this is set to be the BIGGEST show in town, one not to miss.
PRESENTED BY VERDANT PRODUCTIONS
DAVID McSAVAGE
29th April at 8pm
David McSavage is Ireland’s most
divisive comedian – he’s funny too! The Church,
politicians, alcohol and celebrities, will come under
scrutiny with a level of honesty & caustic wit.
PRESENTED BY MIDLANDS
DRAMA SCHOOL
RAPUNZEL
12th May – 13th May at 8pm
With hair as long as the Amazon, and a voice as golden as an
angel, will Rapunzel be able to escape the evil clutches of
Mother Gothel and return to her true family?
www.mullingarartscentre.ie • Box office: 044 9347777

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
WEDDINGS
19
THE WEDDING OF SUZY FLYNN AND JAMES BREEN
Pat Breen (father of the groom), Sheila Holahan, Jill O’Reilly and Margaret Featherstone at the
wedding reception at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.
Amanda, Melinda, Geraldine and Hugh Swann at the wedding reception at the
Shamrock Lodge Hotel.
Daniel Phillips and Laura Brennan at the
wedding reception at the Shamrock Lodge
Hotel.
Pictured at the wedding reception at the Shamrock Lodge
Hotel were Brandon and Michelle Botha, Finian Donnan,
Oísín, Fionnuala, Aoibhann and Patrick Kenny.
Pictured at the wedding reception at the Shamrock Lodge
Hotel were groomsmen Joe Kelly, Shane Rafferty and
Damien Allen.
Pictured at the wedding reception at the
Shamrock Lodge Hotel were Grainne
O’Rourke and Joe Tierney.
Jacqui and Nik Thaker at the wedding
reception at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.
The wedding of Suzy Flynn from Tullanisky, Mullingar and James Breen
from Tullywood, Baylin, Athlone took place in the Church of the
Immaculate Conception in Gainstown, Mullingar recently. Following the
wedding ceremony, the newlyweds were joined by family and friends
for their wedding reception, which took place at the Shamrock Lodge
Hotel, Athlone.
Pictured at the wedding reception at the Shamrock Lodge
Hotel were Trevor Mullen, James Barry and Melissa Walsh.

20 TOPIC • 13 April, 2017
NEWS
The Original
“Rich and beautiful”
Irish language
dialect lost in
Westmeath
"Irish has long since
ceased to be the language of
the people of Westmeath
and what must have been a
rich and beautiful dialect
has been entirely lost.
Nothing of its vocabulary
has survived, save a few
stray words scattered here
and there in common
speech. The greater part of
the place names of the
county, however, still preserve
their ancient forms,
some plainly, others in disguise
and their pronunciation
by those who speak
naturally and unaffectedly
is, in many cases, as Irish
as when the language was
still in common use."
(Fr. Paul Walsh, writing
in 1915 in his "Placenames
of Westmeath".)
Big drive in 1976
to get rid of litter
A big number of areas in
Mullingar are to take part
in the Anti-Litter Competition
being held during
Mullingar Steak Festival.
They include the following
areas, (with the Area secretaries
where possible
listed) -
Ginnell Terrace and
Springfield, Patrick Street;
Green Road (St. Brigids
Tce., to Longford Road);
Hillside Drive; Lynn
Avenue; Woodlands (Lt:
Paul Pakenham), Millmount
(J.Kelly, Hon. Sec.);
Bellview Heights (Hugh
Devanney); Clonmore area
(Desmond Maguire);
Dominick Street (John
O’Malley); Pearse Street
(Lal Shaw) Hibernian
House; Harbour Street
(Peter Martin); Austin Friars
Street (George Murray.);
Barrack Street)
McCurtain Street (Miss
Mary Costello); Seery
Street (Michael O’Reilly);
Newlands (Patrick Whitney,
46 Newlands); Oliver
Plunkett Street (Jim
O’Donnell, Days Bazaar),
Mary Street (Richard
Daly); College Street
(Garda Charlie Dunleavy);
Bishopsgate Street (Mrs.
M. Hannigan) Castle Street
(Michael Duffy); Auburn
Road (David Algar);
Ballinderry (Lt. Col. Ml
O’Donnell); Millmount
Road (Miss Madeline
Shaw); Bellview Road (
Eamonn Farrell), Great
Oaks, Dublin Road.
Some of the area secretaries
are named in some
cases above.
ACTION GIRLS: An action shot taken during a
Raharney v. St. Munna’s game in 1996, showing
a battle for possession between Catherine Glynn,
St. Munna’s and with Sandra Greville. Raharney
with Shirley McLoughlin. St Munna’s (in
background).
Transported for
having tuppenny
saucer!
“At the Assizes in
Mullingar in January, 1839,
Margaret Reilly, was convicted
of having a china
saucer, value 2 pence or
more in her possession, the
property of Robert Jones
Esq., and the Westmeath
woman was sentenced to 7
years' transportation and
was conveyed to Richmond
Penitentiary on January
19, prior to transportation.
Ellen Glennon was
charged with having
picked the pocket of
Christopher Mulvany on
August 11, 1838 and taken a
£5 note and three Bank of
Ireland pound notes, and a
silk handkerchief, and she
was also sentenced to seven
years transportation.
Anne Killcooly was
charged and convicted of
having in her possession
quilting and edging, the
property of Thomas Heade,
Mullingar and she was also
sentenced to seven years
transportation, while her
sister, Catherine Killcooly,
who was similarly charged
was sentenced to three
months in jail with solitary
confinement for one week
each month.
At the March 1839
Assizes, John Heuston who
was convicted of being a
vagrant and of having no
settled place of abode, was
sentenced to seven years
transportation or alternatively,
to pay a bail bond, to
keep the peace for three
months. The defendant,
according to the court
records, obtained bail and
was released the next day.
In April of 1839, three
men were charged at
Mullingar Court with having
waylaid and violently
assaulted Thomas Kelly at
Newtown with loys, shovels
and pitchforks. The three
defendants were Michael
Casady Snr., Michael
Casady Jnr. and Thomas
Casady and all three were
convicted. Michael Casady
Snr. was sentenced to
twelve months in jail, with
hard labour, while the
other two defendants were
sentenced to seven years'
transportation.”
(From local court records,
1939)
WELL-KNOWN FACES: Joan McTiernan, Sean Lynch, Ciara Corcoran and
Brendan Convery pictured at the Mullingar Arts Centre, in April, 1995.
Vitamin deficiency and
malnutrition rare in 1960
According to a report in the U.N. Food
and Agriculture Organisation Production
Year Book (1959) a record 3,500 calories
are available daily to Irish citizens,
prompting an official of the Irish Housewives
Association to comment: “I was
rather surprised to hear that we are the
world’s best fed people. Of course we are
an agricultural country and I suppose we
should be one of the best fed people.”
A doctor commented that even in the
most civilised countries, cases of malnutrition
were found, but it was very rarely
found in Ireland and even cases of vitamin
deficiency were rare.
“Because of the small grouping of people
in towns and cities here, you have a
very ready supply of fresh vegetables and
food in all areas, in contrast to large
urbanised areas in Britain, America and
the Continent,”he stated.
- The Irish Times, August 31, 1960
A 1988 MEMORY: A group of local Mullingar people pictured at the Old
Folks Party held in the Red Cross Rooms, Mullingar in 1988 with musicians
Colmán Moynihan and Noel Battle pictured in front.
TAUGHMON MACRA SOCIAL: A photo from forty
years, ago at a Taughmon Macra Social, showing
from left, Maura Nugent, Colette Bligh, Eileen
Loughrey, Matty Lourghrey, Patricia Corcoran, co.
Sec., and Pat Slevin, all from Taughmon.
Musicians are noted anglers
As we reported recently, Des Doherty (of Showband
fame) and another noted musician Vincent Baker (sorry
about the wrong name last time) had some great fishing
in the Dysart Lakes last week and they were back again
to follow up their successes with a catch of five very nice
tench, including one specimen, caught by Vincent Baker.
They weighed 3lb 8oz, 4lbs 2oz, 5lbs 7oz and 6lbs 1oz. This
latter fish was caught in the same place as the big rudd
caught the previous week. The fish was properly weighed
and recorded in Kearney’s of Castlepollard and has been
accepted by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee.
(From Topic, June 1976)
22 local premises in
Mullingar Pubs Quiz
Teams from twenty two
public houses in Mullingar
are taking part in the 1976
Pubs Quiz Competition,
during Mullingar Steak
Festival.
The first competition
included A. Moore’s, P. J.
Gallagher’s and The
Ennell. The second competition
featured, Broders
Hotel, Jimmy Bennett’s
and Eamonn Farrell’s and
the following one will
include Kerrigan’s, The
Sportsman’s Inn and Larry
Caffrey’s
At Mullingar courthouse
on 19 October, 1837, 24 years
old Henry Gaffney was
charged with having
attacked the house of
Thomas Lee on 11
August,1837 and with having
assaulted Thomas Lee
and with breaking windows
"aided and abetted by
upwards of fifty men."
The defendant was convicted
of the charge and he
The following competition
included the Old
Stand, Michael Hughes’s
and Billy Gilleran’s, as well
as, Lynch’s, The Greville
Arms and The Colt. Also,
Caulfield’s, Canton Casey’s
and The Tavern took part,
as did Butler’s of Pearse
Street and Cullens. Lastly,
James McCormick and
Cronin’s (Kevin Moore)
participated. The concluding
stages will take place
afterward.
(From Topic, June 1976)
Fifty men attacked
Westmeath house
was sentenced to a month in
jail, or pay a fine of £2 to the
Queen and £2 to the prosecution.
Another defendant, William
Branagan, also aged 24,
was before the court on a
similar charge, but in his
case the verdict was "No
bill" and he was released by
the court.
(Local court records 1837)

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
PHOTOS
21
ST BRIGID'S SCHOOL GETS A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY
A County Music fundraising evening for a new playground for St. Brigid’s School, Mullingar took place at the Annebrook House Hotel in Mullingar recently.
Never one to miss some country music, our Out & About snapper was around town on the night and ventured in to capture the many local faces. Got a special night planned
and would like Mick to drop in? Call 87-2797270 and if at all possible he will make it.
Enjoying the music were Emily Quinn, Geraldine Brennan, Rachel Kennedy, Helen Kennedy and Donal
Loughrey.
Deputy Peter Burke, Ann Marie Hogg, David Hogg and Bob Keating
pictured in the Annebrook House Hotel.
Sharon Penrose and Jim Burke enjoying the night.
Megan McCullagh and Liam Faulkner pictured on
the night.
Daryl Gahan, James Ledwith, Lorraine Gahan, Assumpta Walsh, Victoria
Gahan and John Gahan enjoying the night.
Michael and Eileen Smith pictured.
Mick Sheridan and Kathleen McNamee pictured.
Bernie Corroon, John Joe Reilly and Mary Brennan pictured in the
Annebrook House Hotel.
Aishling Archibold, Toni Gaye, Mary McCormack, Karen Molloy, Tricia Casey and Danielle Flynn pictured
on the night.

22 NOTES
District Notes - Nótaí na gCeantar
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
BALLYNACARGY
BAILE NA CARRAIGE
50/50 DRAW WINNER
Congratulations to this week’s
winner of the Cara Phort 50/50
draw, Diane Penrose, who won
€75. Our next draw will take
place on 6 April. Tickets are €2
each and this is a fundraising initiative
for Cara Phort Family
Resource Centre.
BALLYNACARGY
LIBRARY
Ballynacargy library will be
closed Tuesday 18 April & Thursday
20 April. Reopening on Tuesday
25 April at 2.30pm. Contact
library H/Q on 044-93-32162,
Mullingar library on 044-93-
32161, or email: hqlib@westmeathcoco.ie.
BALLYNACARGY VIN-
TAGE ONLY TRACTOR
RUN
Ballynacargy vintage only tractor
run will take place on 23
April. All proceeds are in aid of
Cara Phort FRC. A monster raffle
will be held in conjunction with
the event. Prizes include a 49 and
32 inch TV, 100 bales of flamers
and 100 bags of turf. Be sure to
buy your tickets now.
BALLYNACARGY BOX-
ING CLUB
The boxing club are holding
their annual Easter raffle. Lines
will be sold throughout the village,
costing €2 each or 3 lines for
€5. Please support for the ongoing
development of our club.
STREETE
SRÁID
READER
Reader at the 8pm vigil Mass in
Boherquill on Saturday, 22 April
will be Geraldine Gilligan and
Eucharistic minister will be Lily
Cassidy.
VINTAGE
Please note an important vintage
meeting takes place this
Wednesday, 19 April at 9pm in
Streete parish park centre. As a
number of important decisions
must be made, we depend on a
good attendance and we ask all
who can to attend. We need to
talk about our Philip Moran tractor
run on Saturday, 8 July, in aid
of the Irish Heart Foundation and
also discuss our plans for vintage
day, Sunday, 9 July. All are welcome,
and we would love if some
young people came along. For
any further information call 086-
259-6656, 0868-123-514 or 086-
830-1347. The success depends on
local support.
BOHERQUILL RAMBLERS
The daffodils were fading and
being replaced by the paler yellow
of primroses on the roadside
ditches during the Ramblers walk
from Streete to the River Inny at
Derrad and back on Sunday 9
April. On Sunday 23 April, the
Ramblers will walk near
Rathowen. Cars will leave
Boherquill at 1.30pm and meet at
the start of the Rathowen bog
walk on the road between
Rathowen church and Streete at
1.45pm. Anyone who would like
to travel by bus to Dublin airport
for the Netherlands trip on 28
April is asked to contact Alice
Nerney at 086-813-0780 ASAP.
The bus will leave Feerick's in
Rathowen at 9.15am sharp and
the Park Hotel in Mullingar at
9.45am sharp on Friday 28 April
2017. Ramblers are reminded that
annual subscriptions are now
due: €20 each or €30 for a family.
The Ramblers are always looking
for new members, so if you’d like
to come and join us on one of our
walks you are assured of a warm
welcome, just bring along your
walking boots (and a waterproof
jacket just in
case!).
DAFFODIL DAY
The amount raised on Daffodil
Day, 24 March, in Streete was
€1,393. A big thank you to all
who supported, to the organisers,
and to all those who helped out.
NEW LOOK
Well done to the parish park
chairman and committee, as you
will see, the front of the centre
has been painted, walls at front,
shrubs planted and a tidy up has
been done. Should you see any
litter, please pick it up and dispose
of it. A raffle will take place
on vintage weekend, which we
trust you will support.
HORSELEAP/STREAMSTOWN
ARDNURCHER/BAILE AN
TSRUTHÁIN
CARDS
The following are the results
from the game held on Monday
10 April. The raffle winners: €15 -
Marie Moran, €10 - Tommie
McCormack & €10 - Marie Moran.
The winner on 9 games was Fintan
McCormack, who received
€50. Next on 7 games were
Mickey Carroll, Eilish McDonnell
& Maureen Farrell, and each
received €10. Table prize winners
were Johnny Ward, Irene Dennehy
& Willie Fitzgerald, and
each received €10. Well done to
all of the winners. The night finished
with a cuppa and goodies.
STREAMSTOWN TIDY
VILLAGE
Our local Tidy Village committee
held their annual table quiz
on Good Friday, 14 April, in the
Horseleap Streamstown community
centre, where there was a
great turnout. A special word of
thanks to Trevor Marshall & Paul
Lynam for setting the questions
and for all of the input into the
night. There was a huge array of
questions for both the adult and
juvenile teams. There was a
house raffle on the night. Many
thanks to all who donated raffle
prizes. The winners on the night
were as follows: bottle of Jameson
– Niamh McCormack, bottle
of wine & sweets – Ciaran O’
Reilly, bottle of wine & sweets –
Paul Lynam, bottles of wine to
Martin Looram, Gertrude Fitzgerald
& Tom Moran (Killaroo),
Easter egg & sweets - Ann Lynam,
Monopoly - Aibheen Kelly and
Cluedo - Cliona McCormack. Well
done to all of the winners. The
winners of the adult team were
Aidan Walsh, Anselm Conlon,
Josie Boyle & Martin Looram. The
winners of the juvenile team
were Sarah McCormack, Sarah
Conlon, Thomas Conlon, Ava
McDonnell & Niall Maxwell. All
of the juniors received an Easter
egg for competing. There was a
cup of tea and goodies on the
night, which was very enjoyable.
A special word of thanks to each
and every one for their support
with this night and continued
support for our endeavours
throughout the year.
COMMUNITY ASSOCIA-
TION
It has been decided to run with
the fundraising auction for Sunday
7 May in the community centre
at 2pm. We are appealing for
donations of good quality
saleable items for this event.
Patsy and Annie Guinnin pictured enjoying the Milltownpass GAA Club
Dinner Dance last weekend.
Please start by having a “spring
clean” in your homes and sheds
and set aside items for us. Collectors
and dates and times will be
available very soon.
SYMPATHY
Deepest sympathy is extended
to Edel Lynam, Dromore, and
Louise Colgan, Kilmalady, on the
death of their grandad, Michael
Beglan, late of Hillside Drive,
Mullingar, who passed away in St.
Camillus Nursing Centre in Killucan
on 8 April last. Michael
reposed in St. Camillus’ chapel of
rest on Monday afternoon.
Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday
morning in St. Camillus’
chapel and burial took place in
Sonna cemetery. Deepest sympathy
to his wife, sons, daughters,
in-laws, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren,
sisters, relatives
and friends. Deepest sympathy
to his daughter, Mary Martin,
from all of her I.C.A. colleagues in
our local guild. Deepest sympathy
to all of the family living in
our community and afar on their
loss. Deepest sympathy is also
extended to Laura Elliffe, Woodfield,
on the death of her father,
John (Sean) Molloy, Mearscourt,
Rathconrath, Mullingar, who
passed away on 13 April. John
passed away in St. James’s Hospital,
peacefully, following a short
illness. John reposed at his
daughter Clare’s residence on Friday
evening and removal took
place on Holy Saturday for
funeral service in St. Matthew’s
church, Milltown. Burial took
place afterwards in the adjoining
cemetery. Deepest sympathy to
John, David, Clare & Laura, sonsin-law,
daughters-in-law, grandchildren,
brothers, sister, in laws,
nieces, nephews, relatives and
friends. Our deepest sympathy to
Laura on the loss of her dad, to
Aidan on the loss of his father-inlaw,
Sean & Molly on the loss of
their grandad. Sympathy to all of
the family.
FIRSTLIGHT FESTIVAL
Horseleap United, in association
with Firstlight (formerly Irish Sudden
Infant Death Association),
are delighted to be holding their
festival on Sunday 30 April. This
event kicks off at 2pm in Horseleap
village, with a 6k charity
walk. You are invited to come
along as your favourite superhero.
There is a €5 per person
donation with discounts for families.
At 4.30pm there will be a
charity 5-a-side match with €5 a
head, a team of 7 and limited to
8 teams. A BBQ will be served
from 4pm to 7pm. Throughout
the afternoon there will be face
painting, pony rides and bouncing
castles. On the evening, there
will be music from Adrian from
7.30pm and The Nighthawks
from 10.30pm to late. This year
promises to be their biggest
event to date, so please come
along and support this worthy
cause.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations and best wishes
are extended to Anthony &
Vivian Finn, Cloughnaskaw,
Streamstown, on the birth of
their son, Alfie, a brother for Jack
& Oliver. Congratulations to all
of the extended family.
WEDDING BELLS
Congratulations and best
wishes are extended to Deborah
Reynolds, late of the village,
Horseleap and Tullamore, daughter
of Kathleen Reynolds & Tom
Reynolds, who married John
Quinn from Tipperary last week
in Tullamore. Wedding reception
with family and friends was held
in The Tullamore Court, Tullamore.
Best wishes and every happiness
to Deborah & John in
married life.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Congratulations and best wishes
are extended to Lisa McCormack,
Corgrove, Streamstown, daughter
of Nicky & Bridie McCormack
on celebrating her 18th birthday
on Good Friday. Lisa celebrated
with family and friends in Moate
on Saturday night last. Best
wishes from your mum & dad, sister
Rachel, brothers Declan &
Mark, granny Marshall and all of
the extended family and friends.
HORSELEAP TIDY VIL-
LAGE
The annual general meeting of
Horseleap Tidy Village is set for
Thursday 27 April in Ryan’s of
Horseleap at 8.30pm. It is imperative
that a crowd is in attendance
to ensure the continuation
of a committee. Please come
along on the night and show
your support and appreciation of
ongoing work in the village and
its surrounds.
DATES FOR YOUR
DIARIES
Horseleap Tidy Village AGM on
Thursday 27 April.
Firstlight festival on Sunday 30
April.
Fundraising auction on Sunday
7 May at 2pm.
First Holy Communion in Horseleap
church on Sunday 14 May
2017 at 11.30am.
Streamstown Tidy Village
annual BBQ on Saturday 17 June
with ‘Legacy’.
CASTLETOWN-GEOGHEGAN
BAILE CHAISLEÁIN MHIC
EOGHAGÁIN
EASTER CEREMONIES
Special thanks to everyone who
participated in and all those who
prepared for all the holy week
and Easter ceremonies. Thank
you to all who prepared our
churches and grounds and those
who donated flowers - from
Father Barry and Father Benny.
WESTMEATH ‘ROSE OF
TRALEE’ SELECTION
NIGHT
Best of luck to our local Castletown
girl, Kelly Dalton, daughter
of Shirley and Padraig, Ballyhast,
who will be representing Castletown-Geoghegan
and St.
Malachy’s GAA club in the Westmeath
“Rose of Tralee” competition.
The Westmeath Rose
selection night will take place in
the Radisson Hotel, Athlone, on
Friday night, 21 April, 2017 at
8.30pm. Good luck, Kelly.
CLOTHES COLLECTION
St. Malachy’s football club and
Castletown-Geoghegan camogie
club are having their annual
clothes collection on Saturday, 29
April, at 1.00pm at the GAA pitch.
As usual they will accept clothes,
shoes, bags, belts, curtains etc.,
and any bags already filled can be
stored at the pitch or, if they
require collection, please ring
087-150-8389.
CASTLETOWN-GEOGHE-
GAN GAA LUCKY NUM-
BERS DRAW
There was no winner of last
week’s jackpot. Winning numbers
were 10, 16, 17 and 30. Three
number winner was Adam
Bouabbse and promoter’s prize
was won by Declan Kirby.Next
week’s draw will take place in the
Country Inn, Dysart, and the jackpot
will be €2,800
BALLINAGORE MACRA
CHARITY RUN IN AID OF
LARCC
Ballinagore Macra will be having
a charity tractor and vintage
car run on Sunday, 30 April 2017
in aid of LARCC Cancer Support
Sanctuary. Cost of entry is €25
and registration is from 10.30am.
The run will begin from Ballinagore
GAA grounds. Both the
charity and the club would
greatly appreciate your support.
CASTLETOWN-GEOGHE-
GAN NOTES FOR PARISH
BULLETIN
If you have any items of local
interest for the parish bulletin,
please send them to
tyrrellspass1@eircom.net.
BCDL FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The BCDL friendship club continues
each Monday morning
from 10.30am in St. Michael’s
hall, Castletown-Geoghegan.
New members are always welcome.
SYMPATHY
We extend our deepest sympathy
to the Lowry family,
Whitepark, Dysart, on the death
of their sister, Mrs. Rita Carr,
Athlone, to Mrs. Antoinette
Gavin, Dalystown, on the death
of her father, Mr. Hugh Leonard,
Sligo, to Mrs Maureen Berry,
Calverstown, on the death of her
brother Mr. Sean Molloy,
Mearscourt, Rathconrath, to the
family of the late Mrs. Kathleen
Convey, and to Mrs. Elsie Baker,
Ballykilroe, Ballinagore on the
death of her sister, Mrs. Phyllis
Ward, who died in England and
who will be interred in Galway.
COLLINSTOWN/FORE/DRUM-
CREE
BAILE NA GCAILLEACH/BAILE
FHOBHAIR/DROIM CRIA
CAKE SALE - SUNDAY 30
APRIL
A cake sale will take place at
Collinstown and Fore on Sunday
30 April next, following the conclusion
of 11.30am Mass at St.
Mary’s church, Collinstown, and
10am Mass at St. Feichin’s church,
Fore, respectively. Proceeds are in
aid of the Collinstown/Fore Community
Games Organisation.
RACE NIGHT - SATURDAY
20 MAY
A race night, the proceeds of
which are in aid of the locally
based Lough Lene Gaels camogie
club, will take place at the Lough
Lene Inn, Collinstown, on Saturday
night, 20 May. Further details
on this forthcoming event will be
stated in future Collinstown-Fore-
Drumcree news articles in this
newspaper.
NA PIARSAIGH HURLING
CLUB
One of the sub-committees of
the governing body of the GAA
organisation in Westmeath, while
examining player numbers available
to clubs in various grades of
underage and juvenile hurling,
concluded that the Lough Lene
Gaels and Turin hurling clubs
should be merged together in the
following age categories: U18
(minor), U16, U14 and U12. Lough
Lene Gaels and Turin were previously
merged together for a number
of years during the early to
mid 2000s, in the U18 (minor) and
U16 grades as combination
teams. During that time, Turin
Gaels, in 2003, won that year’s
premier U16 hurling championship
title, and the minor ‘A’
hurling championship title. The
Turin Gaels combination arrangement,
as it was known, was discontinued
by the order of the
GAA high authority in Westmeath,
and not with the agreement
of Lough Lene Gaels and
Turin hurling clubs! This time
around, though, the Lough Lene
Gaels and Turin hurling clubs
have formed an underage/juvenile
hurling club, not known as
Turin Gaels but as Na Piarsaigh
hurling club. This new club has
already made progress in terms
of progress in terms of fixtures
played, the results of which have
been mostly positive. In the 2017
Feile na nGael hurling competition,
Na Piarsaigh played Delvin
and Raharney in quarter and
semi-final fixtures respectively,
winning both fixtures, both of
which were played on Sunday 2
April, to qualify for the final of
this competition. The final scoreline
of the semi-final fixture,
played at Turin on Sunday
evening, 2 April, was Na Piarsaigh
3-5 Raharney 1-5. On Monday
evening, 3 April, Na Piarsaigh
played Clonkill at Turin in a round
1 fixture of division 1 of the 2017
U16 hurling league. Final scoreline:
Na Piarsaigh 1-7 Clonkill 3-9.
Castlepollard was the venue
where, on Wednesday evening, 5
April, Na Piarsaigh played Castlepollard
in a round 1 fixture of
division 1 of the 2017 U12 hurling
league. Na Piarsaigh won this fixture
by a margin of nine points.
Final scoreline: Na Piarsaigh 6-6
Castlepollard 3-6. Castletown-
Geoghegan was the venue
where, on Thursday evening, 6
April, Na Piarsaigh played Castletown-Geoghegan
in a division 1,
round 1 fixture of the 2017 U14
hurling league. Despite conceding
five goals to Castletown-
Geoghegan in this fixture, Na
Piarsaigh defeated Castletown-
Geoghegan by a margin of four
points. Final scoreline: Na Piarsaigh
4-13 (25) Castletown-
Geoghegan 5-6 (21).
TUESDAY NIGHT BINGO
Collinstown hall is the venue
where, on Tuesday nights, bingo
takes place, starting at 8.30pm.
The proceeds of this Tuesday
night bingo are in aid of the
finances of Lough Lene Gaels
hurling club. All support is very
welcome.
SARAH BARDON
It was with a mixture of grief,
shock and regret that Lough Lene
Gaels camogie club learned, on
Wednesday 29 March 2017, of the
death, on that same day, of thirteen-year-old
Sarah Bardon, who
passed away at Dublin’s Beaumont
Hospital. Sarah was a very
talented player of camogie. A resident
of Glenidan, Collinstown,
Sarah had been in attendance at
St. Oliver’s PP school, Oldcastle,
towards the end of the previous
week, when she became unwell.
Sarah subsequently died, following
a very short illness. Senior
squad training, scheduled for
Tuesday evening, 28 March, was
cancelled, enabling the senior
grade players of Lough Lene
Gaels camogie club to instead
attend a Mass at St. Feichin’s
church, Fore. That Mass was celebrated
in honour of Sarah, with
the hope (at that time), that she
would make a recovery. Alas, that
hope was dashed when news of
her death, at such a young age,
was received by Lough Lene Gaels
camogie club the following day.
Sarah Bardon was a talented
Lough Lene Gaels camogie club
player, and she featured very
much as part of the teams that
won Westmeath U14 ‘A’ camogie
championship titles in 2014 and

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
District Notes - Nótaí na gCeantar
NOTES
23
2016, and a Westmeath U14 ‘B’
camogie championship title in
2015. Officers, members and players
of Lough Lene Gaels camogie
club visited the Bardon residence
on Friday 31 March to extend sincere
condolences to Sarah’s family,
and pay their respects to a
young lady who was bright,
upbeat and always positive. The
following day, Saturday 1 April,
Lough Lene Gaels camogie club
was officially and very well represented
at Sarah’s funeral Mass,
celebrated at St. Feichin’s church,
Fore, the choir of which Sarah
was a much-loved member. Several
officers, players covering all
grades, and rank and file members
of Lough Lene Gaels camogie
club were in attendance.
Afterwards, Sarah was laid to rest
at St. Andrew’s cemetery, Multyfarnham.
Lough Lene Gaels
camogie club, at this dreadful
time, extends sincere condolences
to Sarah’s parents, Bernadine and
Brendan, brothers Conor, Thomas
and James, grandmothers Kitty
Keogh and Rita Bardon, aunts,
uncles, cousins, other relations,
school friends, and many others
who had the honour of knowing
Sarah. Her untimely death has
left her family, Lough Lene Gaels
camogie club, and the locality in
which she lived in a state of great
sorrow.
MARY ELIZABETH
GAVAN
Mary Elizabeth Gavan, Clonageeragh,
Fore, died peacefully
on Monday 3 April at the Midlands
Regional Hospital,
Mullingar, having previously been
in the care of the staff of the
neighbouring Cluainn Lir care
centre. Subsequently, the
deceased lady rested in repose at
the Cluainn Lir care centre chapel
on Wednesday 5 April from 4pm
until the funeral cortege
departed at 6.15pm. The funeral
cortege concluded its journey at
St. Feichin’s RC church, Fore, at
7pm, where mourners said
prayers. On the following day,
Thursday 6 April, the funeral
Mass of Mary Elizabeth Gavan
was celebrated in that same
church, commencing at 10.30am.
The deceased lady was afterwards
laid to rest at St. Mary’s
cemetery, Collinstown. Mary Elizabeth
Gavan was predeceased by
her husband John Gerrard Gavan
in September 1996, and by her
son Eamonn Patrick Gavan in February
1976. Mary Elizabeth Gavan
is mourned by her sons John,
Michael and Paul, daughters-inlaw
Ursula, Jackie and Meg,
grandchildren Matthew, Dominic
and Lucy, Joe, Conor and Rosie,
other relations, neighbours and
friends. R.I.P.
COLLINSTOWN/FORE
COMMUNITY GAMES
Collinstown/Fore Community
Games Organisation will hold its
2017 confined athletics and field
sports day at Castlepollard Community
College on Sunday 30
April.
KEVIN CRIBBEN
Kevin Cribben, a resident of Hill
Road, Collinstown, died peacefully
at the Midlands Regional
Hospital, Tullamore, on Monday 3
April 2017. The following day,
Tuesday 4 April, the deceased
gentleman rested in repose at his
residence from 4pm to 8pm. The
following day, Wednesday 5
April, the funeral Mass of Kevin
Cribben was celebrated at St.
Mary’s church, Collinstown, commencing
at 12 noon. The
deceased gentleman, who was
predeceased by his wife Maeve in
August 2014, was afterwards laid
to rest in St. Mary’s cemetery,
Collinstown. Kevin Cribben is
mourned by his son Enda, daughters
Rosalie and Claire (Spain), sister
Maureen Diskin,
daughter-in-law Olive, sister-inlaw
Nancy, grandchildren Shauna
and Lee, nieces, nephews, other
relations, neighbours and friends.
R.I.P.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
Next Sunday, 23 April, is divine
mercy Sunday, which will be
marked at St. Mary’s church,
Collinstown, where celebrations
will commence at 2pm, with
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
A priest will be available
for confessions. Chaplet of divine
mercy will be recited, commencing
at 2.30pm. Please note that
there will be no 11.30am at
Collinstown next Sunday.
LOUGH LENE ANGLING
ASSOCIATION
Lough Lene angling association
held its second competition of
the 2017 angling season on
Lough Lene on Sunday 9 April.
The competition in question was
the Peadar Caffrey cup competition,
a trout-angling competition,
with results as stated.
1st - Marc Regan - 2.12kg.
2nd - John Brennan - 1.98kg.
3rd - D.J. Byrne - 1.62kg.
In the juvenile section, the winner
was David King.
ALL IRELAND BAD-
MINTON TITLE WIN
Congratulations to Oliver O’
Farrell,
Rickardstown,
Collinstown, a native of Drumcree,
on winning a division 5 All
Ireland badminton title with
Westmeath at the National
Indoor Sporting Arena, Abbotstown,
Dublin, on Sunday 2 April.
Clothing Collection Fundraising
Venture
The locally based Lough Lene
Gaels camogie club currently has
its clothing collection fundraising
venture for 2017 up and running.
Donations of items of clothing
would be very sincerely appreciated.
LOTTO NEWS
Abbey House (Coffey’s), Fore,
hosted a lotto draw of the local
hurling and camogie clubs for a
jackpot of €1,700 on Sunday 9
April. Numbers drawn were 4, 7,
27 and 28. The jackpot was not
won. Two match 3 winners of €75
each were Ita Halpin, Fore - c/o
Seven Wonders public house,
Fore and Paul Isdell, Collinstown -
c/o yearly ticket. Next lotto draw
of the local hurling and camogie
clubs takes place at Doyne’s,
Glenidan, next Sunday night, 23
April, for a jackpot of €1,800.
KILLUCAN/RAHARNEY
CILL LIÚCAINNE/ RÁTHAIRNE
CONGRATULATIONS
/NEW ARRIVAL
Congratulations to Madonna
Darby and Nigel Heffernan on
the birth of their beautiful baby
boy, born recently. This is a very
lucky young man - he has three
big sisters to spoil him. Congratulations
Madonna and Nigel; we
wish you all the luck in the world
with your new arrival.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CIARA
Happy birthday to Ciara Swords,
who celebrated her birthday last
week end. Ciara celebrated her
20th birthday on Friday last.
Hope you had a very happy birthday
and a great day. This greeting
comes from all your friends and
neighbours. Happy birthday,
Ciara.
Pictured enjoying the recent Milltownpass GAA Club Dinner Dance were
Emma O’Neill and Tony Loftus.
PUB BINGO/HILL BAR
Jackie and Christy would like to
extend a very warm invitation to
all to come along to the weekly
pub bingo every Wednesday
night in the Hill Bar, where we
promise you will have a great
night of fun and craic, and also a
chance to win some money. You
will also meet with friends, so
come along and enjoy the night
and good luck - we guarantee
you will be back every week for
the fun.
SYMPATHY
We extend deepest sympathy to
the Hill family on the death of
their sister Imelda, who died after
a short illness last week. To
Imelda’s broken-hearted family,
her husband, family, sisters,
brothers, sisters-in-law, brothersin-law,
nieces, nephews, family,
relations, neighbours and her
many friends, we extend our
deepest and most sincere sympathy.
May she rest in peace.
KILLUCAN
LIBRARY/EASTER HOLI-
DAYS
Killucan library will be closed on
Good Friday, 14 April, and
Wednesday 19 April, and will reopen
on Friday 21 April at
10.30am. The opening hours for
the library are as follows:
Wednesday from 1.30pm to
5.30pm and 6.00pm to 8.00pm,
and every Friday from 10.30am to
1.30pm, and again from 2.00pm
to 5.00pm. Books can be renewed
by telephoning the library H/Q on
044-93-32162 or Mullingar library
on 044-93-32161, or you can
email library@westmeathcoco.ie
or do it online with your PIN. You
can phone Killucan library on
044-93-74260. New members are
always welcome to call.
CARDIAC SCREENING
Raharney and Killucan GAA are
organising cardiac screening to
help prevent Sudden Adult Death
Syndrome. The screening is being
provided by Advanced Medical
Services. The dates for the screening
are 29 April and 6 May, it will
take place in Killucan community
centre, and the cost will be €65
per person. If you are interested,
pre-booking is essential as places
are limited. To book your place
(1) go to www.ameds.ie (2) click
on ‘online booking’ and (3) enter
clinic code: Killucan, or call 1890-
300-333. It is important to know
that both Raharney and Killucan
GAA are solely facilitating access
to the cardiac screening.
Advanced Medical Services (AMS)
are providing the cardiac screening
and applicants for the service
are responsible for booking with
AMS and any further testing is
the sole responsibility of the
applicant. Please note age is 12
years or upwards. Further queries
on www.ameds.ie.
SICK CALLS/CONFES-
SIONS
Please let Fr. English know if
there is somebody is sick in hospital
and would like a visit. Confessions
will take place Fridays after
Masses and after Saturday vigil
Mass. The first Friday Communion
calls will be this Friday to all
the parishioners who are sick or
housebound.
VIGIL MASS
The vigil mass will take place
every Saturday evening for the
month of April in Raharney
church at 6.00pm.
LOUGHNAVALLEY
LOCHÁN AN BHEALAIGH
WEEKLY DRAWS
LOUGHNAVALLEY
Results of draw held on 11 April:
there was no jackpot winner.
Numbers drawn were 9, 10, 14
and 30. 3 match 3 winners
receive €70 each. Next draw takes
place on 18 April for a jackpot of
€7,000.
MILLTOWN
Draw held on 10 April. Numbers
drawn were 2, 17, 20 and 26. The
jackpot was not won. €40 euro
winners: Carmel Somers, Mark
Geraghty, Ena Nolan, Ryan Small,
Roisin and Bronagh Rooney. Next
draw on Monday, 17 April for a
jackpot of €5,800.
VISITOR CENTRE AT UIS-
NEACH
A wonderful unique event will
take place in our community on
Saturday, 29 April, with the official
opening of the visitor centre
at Uisneach, from 8pm, with the
option of a heritage tour at
6.15pm (bring wellies). Through
the kind generosity of the Clarke
family, this event will be a
fundraiser for Loughnavalley
Community Development. LCD,
in conjunction with Westmeath
Community Development Limited,
is actively working on issues
relating to the future development
of Loughnavalley and surrounding
area. Tickets €10
(include heritage tour, food and
entertainment), available from
committee members and at Fox’s
pub.
TABLE QUIZ
Young teachers Orla Glennon
and Grace Coughlan will undertake
charity work in post-earthquake
stricken Nepal for the
month of July 2017. It’s almost a
year ago since the devastating
earthquake which left millions
homeless in what was already a
very poor country. In order to
raise vital funds, the girls will host
a fundraising table quiz in Kerrigans
pub, Mullingar on Friday, 28
April at 8pm. €40 for a table of
4. Your support for this most
worthy cause will be much appreciated.
Well done, girls.
LOUGHNAVALLEY CHOIR
Well done and grateful thanks
to our fabulous choir who performed
so brilliantly (as usual)
during the Easter ceremonies. A
great tribute to Andy, Maedbh
and the wonderful group of people
who make up the choir. We
are so lucky.
PARISH FINANCE COUN-
CIL MEETING
Next meeting will take place
Thursday, 27 April, when
fundraising events will be discussed.
All welcome. 8pm at the
parish hall, Loughnavalley.
BCDL FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The club meets each Monday
morning from 10.30am at St.
Michael’s hall, Castletown-
Geoghegan. Lots of activities and
trips throughout the year, and
refreshments are served. You will
be very welcome.
SYMPATHY
Deepest sympathy is extended
to Mrs. Evelyn Gibbons, Ms. Kathleen
Lowry and all the Lowry
family on the death of their sister,
Mrs. Rita Carr. Ar Dheis De go
raibh a anam dhillis.
ROSEMOUNT
BAILE AN BHRIC ÓIG
PROGRESSIVE ‘25’
The winners of our game on
Tuesday 11 April were as follows:
1st 13 games - Johnny Ward and
Eilish McDonnell: €65 each. 2nd
10 games - Seamus McCormack
and Eamon La Hart, Danny Walsh
and Fr. Tom Bardon, Michael
O’Shaughnessy and Seamus Glennon,
Donal Boland and P.J. Fox,
Michael Carroll and Mai Fox: €15
each. Last game - €15 each: Maureen
Farrell and Seamus Robbins.
€10 each (10 games): Michael
Feeney and John Egan. Spot
prizes of €15 each: Sean Molloy,
Eilish McDonnell, Pat Greene,
Michael Carroll, John Egan and
Joe Minnock. €10 each: Agatha
Boland, Eamon Walsh, Sean
Byrne and Andreas Dolan. Ladies
prizes of €10 each: Anne Connell
and Dolores Ryan. Thanks to all
who supported the game, which
was in aid of South Westmeath
Hospice and raised €650 towards
this deserving cause. We also
thank the non-card players for
their support. Don;t forget our
next big game on Tuesday 2 May
at 9.15pm with €1,500 in prizes.
Admission will be €10. Our normal
game continues on Tuesday
18 April, commencing at 9.15pm.
Admission is €10 all-in.
PETER MCCORMACK
R.I.P.
We were saddened to learn of
the death on Sunday 9 April last
of Peter McCormack, Ferboy,
Moate. The deceased, who was in
his ninetieth year, had been in
failing health for a couple of
years. He was the only son of the
late Peter and Nellie (née Casey,
Bishopstown). Peter was predeceased
by his mother in 1934, his
father in 1946 and his wife Monica
(Mona) (née Johnson, Castledaly)
in 2012. Our sympathy is
extended to his sons John, Con
and Peter, daughters Georgina,
Monica and Dolores, and the
extended McCormack and Johnson
families.
RATHOWEN
RÁTH EOGHAIN
RATHOWEN LOTTO
No winners of the jackpot. The
jackpot is currently at €7,600.
Tickets at local Post Office or any
RCD member. Next draw is Monday,
1 May in Connaughton’s Bar.
ST. THOMAS' N.S.,
RATHOWEN
Application Forms for September
2017 are now available from
the school and should be
returned before 30 April 2017.
BUNBROSNA GAA
Training for underage every
Saturday at 1pm for ages 4 and
up. All new members welcome.
MARIA EDGEWORTH LIT-
ERARY FESTIVAL TOUR
As part of this year’s Maria
Edgeworth Literary Festival there
will be a Guided Tour of Tullynally
Castle in Castepollard. The Castle
was a favourite place for Maria to
visit, and on Sunday, 7 May a bus
will leave from the Park House
for Tullynally where visitors will
be taken on a Guided Tour of the
Castle and Gardens by members
of the Pakenham family. Tickets
cost €15 which includes bus and
entrance to the castle. The Bus
will leave at 2.30pm from The
Park House Hotel. The Guided
Tour of Castle and Gardens will
be at 3.00pm. All welcome.
Places are limited so early booking
is advisable. Tickets can be
bought from the Development
Office at the Old Schoolhouse 043
6671801 or from J & M Gift
Stores. This promises to be a
lovely afternoon trip so don't
miss and book early.
POETRY WORKSHOP
As part of the Maria Edgeworth
Literary Festival 5th-7th May
2017, a Poetry Workshop will
take place on Saturday 6th May
2017 in The Old Schoolhouse, Ballymahon
Road, Edgeworthstown,
Co. Longford, at 11am to 1.00pm
by Professor Iggy McGovern who
published collections of poetry
with Dedalus Press in 2005 and
2010.
Booking essential, maximum 20
places. Fee is €20. Book online at
www.edgeworthstown.net/festival
Tel: 043-6671801 or email:
edgelocdev@eircom.net.
MULTYFARNHAM
MUILTE FEARANÁIN
PICKLEBALL
Just a reminder that the
National Championships take
place in The Community Centre in
Multyfarnham on Saturday, and
Sunday, 22 and 23 April, starting
at 11am on Saturday and 10am
on Sunday. This is the first
National Event in Pickleball and it
is a massive honour that the
event is held in Westmeath so
hopefully our local team do well.
Good Luck to all involved.
CLASSES
All scheduled classes are continuing
from 18 April.
This includes Pickleball on Mondays
and Fridays at 10.30am in
Multyfarnhan Community Centre.
On Mondays at 12 noon crafts
take place in Ballinafid and
Woodcarving at 2pm.
On Tuesdays, Go For Life is at
11am and ceramics at 2pm in Ballinafid
for 1 hour.
On Wednesdays in Ballinafid, at
10am Arts and Acrylics at
12.30pm.
Computers takes place at 7pm
and line dancing takes place for 1
hour in Ballinafid.
Walking football continues in
Multyfarnhan at 10:30am in the
community centre also for 1 hour.
On Thursdays there is art and
watercolours at 10.30am and
7.30pm in Ballinafid.
Yoga takes place on Fridays at
11am in Ballinafid.
MEETINGS
Monthly meetings continue at
12:30pm on the first Tuesday of
the month. Next meeting is
scheduled for 2 May in Ballinafid.
GLASNEVIN TRIP
All spaces on the provided bus
for the 5 May trip to Glasnevin
are booked.
This promises to be a lovely, historic
and cultural day out for
members to enjoy.
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Birthday wishes to Mr Seamus
Meehan whose birthday was last
week.
DUCK RACE
Well done to Jake O’Neill who
duck won the race and thanks to
all who supported and helped
out on the day.
TIDY TOWNS
Well done and thanks to all who
helped to plant trees and tidy up
the Village last Saturday.
SYMPATHY
Sympathy to the Family and
Friends of Mrs Margaret O Keeffe
Ballinafid. May she rest in peace.

24 CLASSIFIED ADS
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
DEVOTIONS
DEVINE MERCY SUNDAY:
Divine Mercy Devotions will
take place on Sunday next,
the Feast of Divine Mercy,
April 23rd, in St. Mary’s
Church, Cluain Lir Care
Centre, Mullingar, at 3pm.
All welcome.
ANNIVERSARIES
FARRELL, MARY - 11
Oaklawns, 1st anniversary.
Mammy,
A light is from our
household gone,
A voice we loved so still,
A place is vacant in our
home
That never can be filled.
Love from Denver, Darwin,
Mairéad and Justin.
Mary,
You’ve been gone one
whole year and nothing is
the same,
It sems like it was just
yesterday the angels called
your name.
Our memories of you will
never fade away,
You are always on our
minds.
We wish that there was a
way for the year to rewind,
We wish that we could see
you and hear your voice
once more,
We wish we could talk and
laugh like we did before.
Mary, we can never say
goodbye to you
Because we could not bear
the pain.
Instead we say we love
you until we meet again.
Love Mam, your sisters
Christine and Mag, brothers
John, Tom, nieces
and nephews, sister-inlaw,
brother-in-law and
extended family.
Deadline for
receipt
of Classified
Ads is 5pm
on Monday
FAMILY NOTICES
ANNIVERSARIES
MOLLOY, JACK - 9th
anniversary. In loving
memory of my husband,
Jack, late of Russellstown,
Mullingar, whose
9th anniversary occurs
on April 19th, 2017.
No special day is needed
For us to think of you,
You are ever in our hearts
and minds,
No matter what we do.
Sadly missed by your
wife, Etna, brother-in-law,
Seán and all your friends
and relations.
Anniversary Mass will be
celebrated in the Church
of the Holy Redeemer,
Ballymore, on 23rd April
at 10am.
REILLY, ROSIE - Ashbrook,
Derrinturn, 2nd
anniversary on April
22nd, 2017.
A beautiful memory dearer
than gold,
Of a daughter whose worth
can never be told.
There’s a place in our
hearts no one can fill.
We miss you, Rosie, and
always will.
Love and miss you forever,
Mammy and Daddy
xxx
Those we love don’t go
away,
They walk beside us every
day,
Unseen, unheard but
always near,
Still loved, still missed and
very dear.
Missing you every day,
dear Rosie. Martha, Bridget,
Paula, Sharon and
families xxxx
ANNIVERSARIES
KEEGAN, JOSEPH, JOE -
seventh anniversary. In
loving memory of
Joseph, Joe, Keegan, late
of Castlelost, Rochfortbridge,
whose seventh
anniversary occurs on
April 24th, 2017. R.I.P.
We hold you close within
our hearts,
And there you shall remain,
To walk with us throughout
our lives,
Until we meet again.
Deep in our hearts you are
always there,
Loved and remembered in
every prayer.
Sadly missed by your loving
wife, Brigid xxx, sons,
daughters, sons-in-law,
daughters-in-law, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
GARRY, JOHN -
Belvedere, Mullingar.
10th anniversary. In loving
memory of a dear
husband and father,
whose 10th anniversary
occurs on April 19th,
2017.
Our lives are all so
different now,
From what they used to be,
All because you are not
here
To share our company.
Along the road to
yesterday,
That leads us straight to you,
Are memories of happy
days,
Together we once knew.
Your loving wife Mary,
daughters Fiona, Siobhan
and Denise, and son-inlaw
Alan. Anniversary
Mass in Gainstown
Church on Sunday, April
23rd at 11am.
McKEON, CHARLIE -
Ticknevin, Carbury,
whose 26th anniverary
occurs on April 26th.
A day that’s filled with
sadness
Returns to us today
To mark the day you left us
In such a sudden way.
Your name is often spoken,
Our thoughts are with you
still,
You haven’t been forgotten
And you know you never
will.
Although we’ll always miss
you,
We know we’re not alone,
That you are watching over
us
In a place you now call
home.
Missed and always
remembered by your loving
wife Ann, sons Declan
and Gerard, daughters
Rosemary and Trisha,
daughters-in-law, sonsin-law
and grandchildren.
ANNIVERSARIES
McNAMEE, DES - Late of
Clonmore, Rhode, Co.
Offaly, whose first
anniversary occurs on
26th April, 2017.
Your life was love and
labour
Your love for your family
true
You did you best for all of
us
We will always remember
you.
God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be,
He closed his arms around
you
And whispered come to me.
Our lives are all so
different now
From what they used to be,
All because you are not
here
To share our company.
Life brings us happiness,
But can quickly turn
unkind,
It brings a grief that’s hard
to bear
For loved ones left behind.
Your resting place we visit,
We place some flowers
with care,
But no-one knows the
heartache
As we turn and leave you
there.
Sadly missed by his wife
Biddy, sons Finnian,
John-Patrick, Desmond
Jnr., daughters Geraldine,
Annette, Jane and
partners, mother Carmel,
sister Bardis, daughtersin-law,
fourteen lovely
grandchildren, sister-inlaw
Molly and husband
Joe, nieces, nephews and
extended family and
friends.
O’REILLY, ALICE - Greenwood
Park, Edenderry,
whose 14th anniversary
occurs on April 22nd.
We didn’t often tell you,
But then we thought you
knew
How much you really
meant to us,
We thought the world of
you.
You paved the way for us,
You made our childhood
days complete,
You taught us in our days
of youth
The way of goodness and
of truth.
So for all these things we
want to say
How much we love and
miss you every day.
Always loved and remembered
by your sons,
daughters and grandchildren
xxx
BIRTHDAY
REMEMBRANCE
DEMPSEY, PATRICK -
Late of 5 Woodlawn
Drive, Clonbullogue,
whose birthday occurs
on April 19th.
There is a road called
remembrance,
Where thoughts and
wishes meet,
We walk that road with
love today
To the one we cannot
greet.
And now it is your birthday,
It’s up to God above
To tell you how much we
miss you
And give you all our love.
Dearly missed, your loving
wife Margaret and
family.
WE WANT
TO
HEAR
FROM
YOU!
TOPIC
044 9348868
SITUATIONS
VACANT
DELI STAFF REQUIRED
@ SPAR EXPRESS EDENDERRY
Must have HACCP &
cooking experience
Phone: 087 1257435
Email sweeneyben@eircom.net
BAR MANAGER
required for Carbury GAA Clubhouse
The newly refurbished clubhouse is located in a
rural GAA club in Carbury, County Kildare.
Requirements:
• A minimum 3 years Bar management experience
an advantage
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good sense of humour and motivational skills
• Ability to manage staff
This is a full time position and the successful
candidate must be available to work weekends.
Please send CV to:
secretary.carbury.kildare@GAA.ie
Closing date for applications Monday 24th April.
Midlands Licensed Premises
MANAGER REQUIRED
Excellent Terms & Conditions
Busy Location
The ideal candidate must have a genuine
interest in the hospitality industry, be
motivated, pleasant and ensure an efficient and
personalised service is delivered to customers.
Replies to: recruit@topic.ie
Job Ref. 14750
YOU CAN DEPEND
ON US
• Business Cards
• Invoice books
• Posters
• Magazines
• Letterheadings
• Books
• Full colour work a speciality
• Keen prices
• Professional service always
• Call the experts today
FOR YOUR NEXT PRINTING JOB
Newspapers Ltd.
6 Dominic Street,
Mullingar
Tel: 044 9348868

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017 CLASSIFIED ADS 25
CLASSIFIED ADS
TOPIC CLASSIFIEDS • FOR ALL YOUR SMALL ADS
MOTOR
MART
FOR SALE
SOLID PINE LARGE
KITCHEN for sale, black
counter top, stainless
steel double sink, extractor
fan, glass press, window
pelmet, lots of
cupboard space. €1,300
o.n.o. 087-943-3979.
3(04.05)
SHOWER DOORS FOR
SALE, Ideal Standard Bi-
Fold 800, colour silver,
brand new (selling as
size not suitable) €160
o.n.o. Phone 085-739-
4172. 3(04.05)
SQUARE SHOWER TRAY
and corner entry enclosure
with bi-fold door, 2’
5” square, like new.
Would cost over €300
new, quick sale €200. No
time wasters please.
Phone Anne 086-326-
7187. 3(04.05)
SKYLINE 3-IN-1 PRAM,
perfect condition, as
good as new. 087-291-
4420. 3(27.04)
RIDE ON LAWN MOWER,
AL-KO, Briggs and Stratton
engine, 656cc, less
than 50 hours work done,
both mulch and collect.
Phone 087-254-2479
after 6pm. 3(27.04)
NILFISK VACUUM
CLEANER, new,
unwanted gift, perfect,
Mullingar town. 087-276-
3715. 3(27.04)
JONSERED CHAINSAW
for sale, sides for tractor
trailer, suit turf trailer, 11ft
long x 7ft wide x 4.5ft
high, dual wheels for
tractor, size 13x6x36,
tractor spring harrow.
087-351-6223. 3(27.04)
RIVER SEAT BOX including
2,500 attachments,
brand new. 086-350-
3117 or 087-334-6065.
3(27.04)
MAVAR POLE, 13.5 metre,
plus sections and holdall.
086-350-3117 or 087-
334-6065. 3(27.04)
3-PART CONCRETE
LAND ROLLER, perfect
condition, €300. 087-
162-6095. 3(27.04)
DINING TABLE (extendable)
and 6 chairs. Best
offers. Also 6 burner gas
catering cooker in good
condition. Phone 046-
973-9203 or 087-192-
8702. 3(20.04)
WEDDING DRESS for
sale, size 14, white satin,
heavily sequinned and
very long train. Also 10-
year-old girl’s party
dress, satin, white and
red, very pretty. Phone
046-973-9203 or 087-
192-8702. 3(20.04)
SQUARE SHOWER TRAY
and corner entry enclosure
with bi-fold door, 2’
5” square, like new,
would over €300 new.
Quick sale €200. No
time wasters please.
Phone Anne on 086-326-
7187. 3(20.04)
LADY AND GENT’S BICY-
CLES for sale, very good
condition, €90 for both or
will sell separately. 086-
393-2346. 3(20.04)
MAHOGANY SIDE-
BOARD, antique style, in
perfect condition, €80
o.n.o. 086-393-2346.
3(20.4)
FOR SALE
8ft CABINET (dining
room), mahogany. €125.
087-280-4205. 3(20.04)
TABLE FOR SALE in perfect
condition, €60.
Includes glass protector.
Chairs not included. 085-
153-6980, if interested.
3(20.04)
TUITION/GRINDS
GUITAR LESSONS available
in Edenderry and
surrounding areas, suitable
for all ages, beginners
to advanced. Phone
Paul 087-167-3964.
3(04.05)
PERSONAL
41-YEAR-OLD MALE
would like to meet similar-minded
people for
friendship and socialising.
Text 085-203-4809.
3(04.04)
HAY/FARMING
FORD 3600 TRACTOR PS
PUH, engine rebuilt,
resprayed, lots of money
spent, showroom condition.
€4,500. 086-086-
4805. 3(27.04)
JONSERED CHAINSAW
for sale, sides for tractor
trailer, suit turf trailer, 11ft
long x 7ft wide x 4.5ft
high, dual wheels for
tractor, size 13x6x36,
tractor spring harrow.
087-351-6223. 3(27.04)
MAVAR POLE, 13.5 metre,
plus sections and holdall.
086-350-3117 or 087-
334-6065. 3(27.04)
3-PART CONCRETE
LAND ROLLER, perfect
condition, €300. 087-
162-6095. 3(27.04)
CASE INTERNATIONAL
4230 TRACTOR for sale,
4 wheel drive, good condition,
reasonably priced,
and a Ferguson cutting
bar also for sale. 085-
137-4744. 3(20.04)
AT YOUR SERVICE
WOOD DISCS AVAIL-
ABLE: Perfect for wedding
organisers/events,
etc., 5” x 12” diameter.
Contact Adam on 087-
911-9544 for details and
best price. 3(20.04)
POULTRY
SEVEN COCKERELS free
to good home. Contact
089-469-6282. 3(20.4)
TOPIC
044
9348868
WINDOWS & DOORS
WESTMEATH WINDOWS
& DOORS LIMITED, Lisclogher,
Delvin: Suppliers
of PVC windows,
doors, sunrooms, full
glass service, new Palladio
composite doors.
Fully tax compliant for
the new government renovation
scheme. For
more information on
upcoming exhibitions or
for a free quote check out
our website, www.westmeathwindows.ie,
or call
Eugene on 086-601-
5325. 6(04.05)
TURF/FIREWOOD
TURF AND TIMBER FOR
SALE. Tractor trailers,
jeep trailers and bags.
Contact Gerard Glennon
on 087-959-8813.
6(18.05)
SALE ON DRY SEA-
SONED QUALITY
TURF, sold in truck lorry
loads, discount on second
load. Contact 087-
141-3238. 3(27.04)
CHILDMINDING
Where an advertiser is
using a Box number, CVs
must be emailed to
recruit@topic.ie. quoting
the relevant box number
in the subject line.
LADY AVAILABLE for
minding child (children).
Experienced, flexible
time, Kinnegad area.
Phone 087-952-8661.
3(04.5)
PROPERTY AND
RENTAL
For the convenience of
readers, please state
town or village in which
accommodation is
located when placing
accommodation adverts.
HOUSE TO RENT: 3-bed,
semi-detached house to
rent in Ardleigh Vale,
Mullingar, €750 per
month. Tel. 087-177-
2364. 3(27.04)
TREATMENT ROOM TO
RENT with adjoining
waiting room. Adjacent to
acupuncturist and chiropractor
in Natural Health
Clinic, 6 Dominick Street,
Mullingar. Excellent main
street location with wonderful
natural light. For
details please contact
044-93-48868.
CEMETERY HEAD-
STONES/GRAVES
CEMETERY HEAD-
STONES: Martin Nolan,
Rathcobican, Rhode, Co.
Offaly. Telephone: 046-
973-7327 or 046-973-
7073 or 087-262-2704.
Catalogue available on
request. Personal attention.
51(23.11.17)
AT YOUR SERVICE
INVITATIONS: Wedding
invitations, Mass booklets,
place cards, etc. all
available at competitive
prices from Topic Print &
Design. All personalised
to individuals’ taste.
Samples can be viewed
at Topic Print & Design
Facebook page or phone
044-934-8868 / 085-739-
4172 for further info.
BOUNCING CASTLES
PARTY BOUNCE FOR
HIRE: Large castles with
12ft slides, also new
super slide and smaller
castles. Taking bookings
now for Communions,
Confirmations and parties.
Phone 087-747-
6601. 14(29.06)
LET’S BOUNCE BOUNC-
ING CASTLES: Bouncing
castles with slides,
obstacle courses, high
slides, disco dome, inflatable
bar. 086-3689-279.
12(11.05)
ANTIQUES
WE BUY AND SELL some
antique furniture, gold
and silver jewellery -
even broken, clocks,
watches, china, especially
tea sets, books,
medals, all military memorabilia,
coins, Irish bank
notes, plus anything collectable.
Single items or
clearance. Free valuation.
Open 7 days a
week. Telephone beforehand.
Denis King & Son,
Antiques and Curios,
Longwood, Co. Meath.
Telephone: 046-955-
5120; mobile: 087-753-
6835. 51(19.02)
CHIMNEY
CLEANING/REPAIRS
ALLARD CHIMNEY
CLEANING. Family business,
over 40 years’
experience and knowledge
at your fingertips.
Fully qualified and registered,
professionally
trained. High-powered
twin vacuum, brush and
scraper used in the
cleaning of wood pellet
systems, back boilers,
ranges, stoves, open
fires, household and
industrial oil burners.
Also available the latest
technology in power
sweeping for hard to
clean chimneys. Complimentary
advice for all
customers, along with
free smoke and draw test
on all chimneys. Colin
Allard. Office: (044) 922-
6436 and 087-793-6719.
51(07.12.17)
SITUATIONS VACANT
Where an advertiser is
using a Box number, CVs
must be emailed to
recruit@topic.ie. quoting
the relevant box number
in the subject line.
NEED EXTRA CASH?
Looking for part-time or
full-time work? Then we
have the perfect solution.
We require reliable persons
to distribute, collect
catalogues and take
orders from customers.
Flexible hours - no experience
needed - no cash
outlay. For more information,
ring now on mobile
087-335-8088 and ask
for Reggie. 3(04.05)
WEEKEND HOMECARE
REQUIRED (live-in) for
elderly lady. Garda vetting
essential. Apply with
references to Box No.
32249, Topic Newspapers,
Dominick Street,
Mullingar. 3(04.05)
BUSINESS DEVELOP-
MENT MANAGER - 2
year contract, Junction
Tullamore - 3rd level
qualification and commercial
experience. Min
2 years’ full driver’s
licence,
www.midlandjobs.ie, Job
Ref 16496. 3(04.05)
CHEF VACANCIES X 3 -
Miller & Cook Mullingar.
Sous Chef, Commis Chef
& Pizza Chef. Relevant
experience essential.
www.midlandsjobs.ie,
Job Ref 16494. 3(04.04)
PHARMACY TECHNI-
CIAN - Weirs Pharmacy,
Mullingar. Relevant qualification
plus 1-2 years
prev experience in community
pharmacy,
www.midlandsjobs.ie,
Job Ref 16481. 3(04.05)
EXPERIENCED WAITING
STAFF - Annebrook
House Hotel, Mullingar
- Min three years experience
in a similar role,
www.midlandjobs.ie,
Job Ref 16500. 3(04.05)
HEALTHCARE TUTOR -
Forus Training, Mullingar
- Qualified health or
social care Professional
+ Training credentials,
www.midlandjobs.ie,
Job Ref 16499. 3(04.04)
DELI COOK/CHEF - Buckley’s
SuperValu,
Mullingar. Min 2 years
relevant experience.
Excellent communication,
presentation and
organisational skills,
HACCP, and IT skills,
www.midlandjobs.ie, Job
Ref 16488. 3(04.05)
EXPERIENCED COOK
(weekends) - Mullingar/
Kinnegad area, P/T. Min
2 years experience,
weekend work essential,
family meals. Full clean
driver’s licence. Excellent
pay + performance
bonus. www.midlandjobs.ie
Job Ref: 16480.
3(20.04)
SITUATIONS VACANT
BUSINESS DEVELOP-
MENT MANAGER -
B.Ag or similar -
Mullingar. Good Communication
and IT skills, full
clean driver’s licence. UK
travel essential.
www.midlandjobs.ie
Job Ref: 16475. 3(20.04)
GRAPHIC DESIGNER -
MLS Labels & Printing
Systems, Mullingar -
Degree or Equivalent in
Graphic Design, Adobe
Illustrator, Photoshop, 3
years experience.
www.midlandjobs.ie
Job Ref: 16487. 3(20.04)
QUALIFIED UPHOL-
STERER - J. Shaw Furniture
Design, Mullingar.
Minimum 3 years experience
or part-qualification.
www.midlandjobs.ie Job
Ref: 16483. 3(20.04)
Sell your
unwanted
household
items for
FREE!
Visit
www.topic.ie
MOTOR MART
Where an advertiser is acting
in the course of a
trade or business, this
must be clearly stated in
the advertisement, i.e.,
the name of the garage
must be included.
2002 PEUGEOT 307 1.4
diesel hatchback, colour
silver, 4-door, lady driver,
very economical, 62
miles per gallon. Long
NCT and tax. NCT to
August, taxed to October.
4 good tyres, central
locking, electric windows.
Drives very well. Perfect
as a starting car, low
mileage 196,294. Looking
for a quick sale.
€1,300. Phone Anne on
086-326-7187. 3(04.05)
DIESEL CARS FOR
SALE: 2014 Kia Ceed
1.6 crdi, 5dr, black; 2013
Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi,
5dr, white; 2013 Kia Rio
1.1 CRDi, 5dr, black;
2013 Hyundai i20 1.1
CRDi, 5dr, white; 2012
Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi,
5dr, black; 2011 Kia Rio
1.5 CRDi, 5dr, silver or
black, 2011 Zafira 7-
seater, 5dr, silver. All
cars have warranted
miles and 2 years NCT.
Phone 9224592 or 087-
256-8748. 3(27.04)
1999 SKODA PETROL 1.4,
NCT to Jan 2018, very
clean car, two lady owners,
p.m.o., €250. 087-
934-6199 after 6pm.
3(27.04)
2007 VW PASSAT 1.9
DIESEL, NCT Nov 2018,
genuine family car from
new, 146,000 miles, serviced
regularly. 086-253-
7883. 3(20.04)
2001 PEUGEOT 206 LX,
1.4 petrol, 4-door,
118,000 miles, tax just
out, NCT January 2018,
colour blue, excellent
tyres, JVC stereo, front
fogs, owner’s manual.
Any inspection welcome.
No time wasters. Price
€540 o.n.o. Call 086-
386-0837. 3(20.4)
NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS
Acceptance of an advertisement or payment
thereof is not to be taken as implying guarantee
that the advertisement will be published. The
right is reserved to refuse to insert any advertisement,
without giving any reason; also to discontinue
the publication of any advertisement
previously published, without com - pensation for
any loss or damage claimed for non-publication.
Publication of an advertisement cannot be guaranteed
on a specific week or at all, whether or not
a particular week has been stipulated by the
advertiser, and the company will not be liable for
any loss claimed by such omission, whether from
all editions or any particular edition or editions of
the paper. Right is reserved to alter any advertisement
without liability for any compensation for
such alteration. Further, the company does not
accept liability for any loss or damage caused by
an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any
advertisement. Placement of an advertisement is
deemed as acceptance of above conditions.

26 TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
PHOTOS
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR PAT AND LEAH KEENA
The Keena clan from Gaybrook had a huge double party night recently in Caffrey’s Lounge in Mullingar. On the night, Pat Keena celebrated his 70th birthday while his granddaughter,
Leah Keena celebrated her 18th birthday. Our Out & About snapper was around town on the night and dropped by to capture the celebrations.
Got a special night planned and would like Mick to drop in? Call 087-2797270. If at all possible he will make it.
Birthday girl Leah Keena celebrated her birthday
with grandfather, Pat Keena.
Some of the Keena family members and friends who gathered for the birthday celebrations.
Vickie Caulfield pictured with birthday girl,Leah.
Megan McCullagh and Liam Faulkner pictured on
the night.
Pat pictured with long-time neighbours, Liam and Alison Hickey.
Deirdre Kelly, Mary Keena and Kelly McDermott
pictured on the night.
Pat and Mary Keena from Gaybrook pictured in
Caffreys.
Pat and Mary pictured with their daughters Kathryn Farrell and Marianne
Keena.
Emma Kennedy and Leah Keena pictured.
Darragh Faulkner and Kacelyn Farrell pictured at the
birthday celebrations.

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
YourLetters
Send your letters to The Editor, Topic Newspapers Ltd, 6 Dominic Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
WE ARE ALL
RESPONSIBLE FOR ILLS
Dear Sir,
To scapegoat a handful of
nuns for the Tuam Mother
and Babies home is reprehensible.
That some TDs
are fanning the flames of
hysteria is utterly shameful.
We are collectively
responsible for what is
wrong in our society today
– impoverished children,
the homeless, child abuse.
Our parents and grandparents
are collectively
responsible for what happened
in Tuam and similar
places in the 1920s up to the
1950s.
This not the responsibility
of a handful of nuns
who were volunteering
their service free of charge
to unfortunates largely
rejected by society, without
financial support from the
State. In the words of an
Irish journalist, the Tuam
saga is an example of
“tragedies of the past used
to vent prejudices of the
present”.
Tom Slevin,
Wesport,
Co Mayo
Still a strong
religious sense?
Dear Editor,
Maybe I read figures differently to everyone else, but a
State that has nearly 4.2 million of its people from a population
of around 4.7 million, stating that they have a religious
affiliation is still a State with a strong religious
sense. After the many sad stories and horrendous
breaches of trust, it shows that people can still differentiate
between church and religion.
Yours etc.,
Dermot Lacey, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Justice is needed in
‘Grace’ case
Dear Editor,
It appears that all of the information surrounding the
‘Grace’ abuse case in Waterford is known, regarding who
was involved in her care and the different events that happened
during her care period. If that is the case, why is
there a wasteful commission of inquiry being set up that
will not result in anyone being held accountable?
Instead of holding such an inquiry, surely at this stage
An Garda Síochána ought to get involved and initiate a
criminal investigation into the whole affair and bring all
those culpable to justice? This needs to be done in order to
get justice for Grace and to protect others who may be in
care now and in the future.
Yours etc., Christy Kelly, Templeglantine, Limerick
Impact of Brexit on Irish
economy
Dear Editor,
The writer of a recent letter ‘Trump has a mandate’ was
certainly right that the EU will neither consult nor negotiate
with Taoiseach Enda Kenny about our need for concessions
and special arrangements to lessen the
disastrous impact of Brexit on our economy.
Like it or not, we are joined at the hip with the UK, so our
approach to Brussels must be to take charge of our own
destiny, with the courage to demand that our needs be satisfied
- or we will quit too.
Yours etc., William Shortland, Blessington, Wicklow
AIB, taxpayers and small investors
Dear Sir,
Minister for Finance
Michael Noonan intends
selling shares to small
investors as well as institutions.
It would suit him better
to reimburse the small
investors burned by AIB’s
2008 collapse. We, the citizens,
bailed this bank out
at a huge cost to hospitals,
education, infrastructure,
etc. Retiring in late 2007, I
purchased a significant
number of AIB shares. The
bank itself at that stage
had gone rogue, but the
Irish regulatory system
failed us. So, Mr Noonan,
you made a huge show of
paying anonymous bondholders.
Anything left over
for Paddy the Serf ? Stop
laughing, reader.
Yours etc,.
John Cuffe,
Dunboyne,
Meath
Dear Sir,
Having read the letter last
week (13 April) about the
new cycleway from
Mullingar to Athlone,
alongside the railway
track, I can’t but think it
pathetic that our town is
once again allowing itself
to be shoved to one side. I
happened to be in Athlone
last Friday, and read the
comments made by Cllr.
Frank McDermott, Co.
Council Chairman, when
he was with Minister
Shane Ross, cutting the
tape to open the Greenway
officially. I thought the
Taoiseach had done that
down in Moate, but now
Athlone becomes the top
spot. No mention of
Mullingar I could see, and
Cllr. mcDermott talked
about the numbers cyling
from Athlone and the new
lights erected and a whole
lot more, and made it all
sound as if the new cycle
and pedestrian way had
been started in Athlone.
The truth is, of course, it
all began in Mullingar, and
the Council Chairman got
the wrong end of the stick,
or was given it by his advisers.
Signs on it, Athlone is
shouting about the new
Greenway, while here in
Mullingar, unless you
know where the entrance
e-mail: news@topic.ie
Comment about
railway “Greenway”
Dear Editor,
The majority of TDs who
were democratically
elected to Leinster House
on a platform which
included the abolition of
water charges and an
Oireachtas committee on
the future of water funding
now appear set to hammer
the final nail into the coffin
of the water charges fiasco.
Yet, Housing Minister
Simon Coveney has
already declared that
despite the overwhelming
tide of democracy against
him, he will not legislate to
bring about the abolition of
water charges. Instead, he
has lazily labelled the push
to abolish the charges as
“populist”, as if he sees
abiding by the democratic
will of the people as something
to be derided.
The problem is not that
our elected politicians are
standing by their democratic
mandate. The problem
is the arrogant, ideological
obstinance of Mr Coveney
to it is - down in Clonmore -
you would never find it.
I can’t understand what is
wrong with our local public
representatives. Are they
all asleep, or do they like to
see Athlone always getting
the upper-hand? It must be
something in the psyche in
the Westmeath capital.
Anyway, just wanted to say,
I find it hard to swallow,
with this second “official
opening”.
Sorry I can’t allow my
name to be printed, but I
might find myself getting
‘demoted’ for speaking my
mind.
“A Mullingar native”
(full details with Editor)
Relaxing at the St. Oliver Plunkett’s Hurling Club Annual Dinner Dance
recently were Nairy and Noel Gavin.
Paying for our water
Dear Sir,
It now looks as if water charges will be
abolished, and even the proposed charge
for excessive use will be fudged.
This is a huge mistake as general taxation
will not be in a position to provide the
massive resources required to upgrade
water and wastewater systems to the standard
expected by the Irish people. As a
third of workers pay no tax, a small number
of taxpayers will pay for everyone
else’s wastage. This is nonsensical. Furthermore,
taxpayers living in rural Ireland
on private schemes (well and septic tank)
will not only have to pay up to €500 per
annum for their own services, but will also
have to pay for the services of urban households
through their taxes. If a substantial
subsidy is not introduced for rural households
to give them equal treatment to those
living in towns and cities, they should
refuse to pay their property tax until this
inequality is addressed.
Yours etc.,
John Daly,
Shrule, Carlow
The elite must not dictate to the majority
and his ilk, who think that
they are somehow noble in
imposing their minority
agenda on the majority.
We must not let the will of
the elite few dictate the
lives of the ordinary majority.
That is not a “populist”
stance, that is democracy.
Yours etc.,
Simon O’Connor
Crumlin,
Dublin 12
EDITORIAL/LETTERS
27
Editorial
Did we
alarm you?
In last week’s editorial, we commented on current
attitudes towards Christian beliefs now prevailing
in many areas. We briefly described how
millions of those who try to live by the Easter message
that Jesus Christ brought, and lived out in
the first Easter Week, are now being actively persecuted.
And we described also, how anyone who
dares to stand up in a public place today - even in
Ireland - is looked upon with scorn by powerful
interest groups, and treated as if they were
afflicted by a serious form of infantile naivety.
Last week, some Topic readers, it seems, took
exception to the overtly Christian line taken. And
even moreso to our suggestion that the world may
now be facing another, more deadly and destructive
international conflict than ever before. “Over
the top stuff” was the unspoken attitude, even if
only letting us know in a “nice” way, that we
shouldn’t be “taking life so seriously”.
We found it almost amusing, but sad, that Irish
people who regard themselves as smart and sophisticated,
felt it was offensive that we should express
so openly our Catholic beliefs and viewpoint in a
“secular” local newspaper.
“It might be better if you kept that sort of stuff
to yourself. I mean, in your own interests,” was
how one person knowingly expressed it. We don’t
doubt the words were spoken with sincerity, but we
felt sad. So sad that we’ve regressed to the point
where so many are now utterly blinded by the prevailing
blinkered and make-believe attitudes to
what life is about. Who was it that once described
life as no more than “a permanent possibility of
sensation”? That’s how too many of our fine young
people now behave – having been led seriously
astray in their thinking. Over the Easter weekend,
for instance, so many of them saw no further than
getting “sloshed” by over indulging in substance
abuse, and all that goes with it. The highpoint of
their Easter weekend? Is that the best that our
homes, schools and our universities – and our socalled
‘clever’ opinion formers - can give them in
2017? So very sad to watch, while civilised behaviour
and lifestyles collapse all around us. Even
while normal home life is being torn apart, marriages
collapse and young minds are subverted
and seduced by what amounts to organised statesupported
indoctrination into perverted thinking,
we prefer to pretend this is ‘normal’. And we’re
conditioned to get annoyed and upset on hearing
about anything so ‘unpleasant’ as religious persecution,
or the possibility that we could be obliterated
in an instant by misguided world leaders, or
crazy people intent on killing others they disagree
with. On Sunday, well-known Irish writer Brendan
O’Connor wrote a powerful but very sad piece on a
national newspaper. We found it sad because Brendan
spoke sincerely but conveyed a message not of
hope, but of despair. Reflecting on life’s realities
and the final words of the four rescue helicopter
victims, he wrote, about death: “We’re gone. In
those two words are all of it. We are now going to
die. That’s the end of everything.” His words epitomise
so much of today’s sad and sorry philosophy,
when people no longer see Christian belief and
religion as relevant and central to their lives. They
live by a different code, one which puts free-thinking
and reason in first place, and turns life into little
more than a ‘permanent possibility of
sensation’
Two verses we learned in primary school many
moons ago come to mind. One went: “Two men
looked through prison bars, one saw mud, the
other stars”. The second was a verse from Longfellow’s
“Psalm of Life” which went:
“Life is real, life is earnest, and the grave is not
the goal.
Dust thou art to dust returnest, was not spoken of
the soul.”
Is not our philosophy just as validly held as that
expressed by Brendan? And if we say “Brendan,
we beg to differ with you about what life and death
really are,” should we be condemned?

28 SALES&SERVICES
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
CLEARY
ELECTRICAL
Unit 11, Zone C, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
PHONE - 044 934 4601
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS
FULL RANGE OF
NEW & RECONDITIONED DOMESTIC
APPLIANCES FOR SALE
NO FIX - NO FEE
SPARE PARTS
NEW & SECOND
HAND FOR ALL
DOMESTIC
APPLIANCES
• Showroom
at 'Graphic Tiles'
Mullingar Business Park
• Kitchens, Bedrooms,
Sliding Wardrobes, Home
Office, Living Room Units,
• Fantastic range of Kitchen
appliances
Talk to us today about
the Home Renovation
Incentive Scheme
Contact
Ger: 086 6051782
E-mail: ger@cgkitchens.ie
Web: www.cgkitchens.ie
Motors
Birmingham Mullingar
Spring Specials
Car Service from...
€90
inc VAT
TYRE SERVICE
AVAILABLE HERE
REPAIR
OR REPLACE
Mr. Windscreen Direct Billing to Insurance Companies
Call Today 044 93 43158
Unit 31, Zone C, Mullingar Business Park
Tel: 044 9339544 • 044 9339586
Mob: 087 9673155
ORDER YOUR SKIPPY
BAG NOW ONLINE AT
www.skippybag.ie
BROSNA PAINTS
Mullingar
QUALITY PAINT
AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
• Exterior house paint
- 10L for €23
• Concrete floor paint
- 19L for €55
• Protectafence - paint for timber
fences and sheds
- 15L for €40
• Primers and top coats for steel
(trailers, gates etc.)
- 5L for €15
Visit brosnapaints.ie
for more information or
call us on 044 9371228
LOSE WEIGHT
With the World’s
HEALTHIEST COFFEE
WHY THIS WORKS WHEN NOTHING ELSE HAS
The most powerful weight-loss blend to ever hit the
weight-loss industry is found right in our Coffee!
No Dieting - No Excessive Exercise
- Safe & Easy - 100% Natural
Within several weeks you can expect:
• Absorption of fewer carbs
• Increased Calorie Burn
• Reduced Fat Storage
• Control Over Your Appetite
• Reduced cravings
• Elevated Mood
• More Energy
CONTACT:
086 0301097
Lose 12lbs or
12 inches in
24 days!

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
SALES&SERVICES
29
MULLINGAR BUSINESS PARK
044-9340160
NEW EXTENDED
OPENING HOURS
NOW
OPEN
HI-VIS clothing, safety boots
and work gloves, with high
demands on quality and design
Thursday until 7.30pm
Saturday 10am to 1pm
BROKEN GLASS?
Call Mullingar Glass
for all your window
and door repairs
STOVE GLASS CUT
@
MULLINGAR
GLASS
UNIT B1, ZONE A
MULLINGAR
BUSINESS PARK
(opposite Genesis)
The leading brand in safety
footwear. The only safety shoes
with a breathable toe cap
Visit our website: www.osullivansafety.ie
CLEAR DRAIN
• SEPTIC TANKS
EMPTIED & CLEANED
• FULL JETTING SYSTEM
• GREASE TRAP
MAINTENANCE
MICHAEL TIERNEY
AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTOR & SLUDGE DISPOSAL
044 96 61607 • 087 258 1006
E: tierneyagri@gmail.com
Ph: (044) 9348840
Portloman
Construction
Carpentry
Extensions
Renovations
Property Maintenance
086 370 5635
• Driveways
• Tennis Courts
• Private Dwellings
• Walkways / Cycleway
• All groundworks catered for
Kevin 087 173 6392 / Brian 087 984 3004
www.lakelandtarmac.ie
BRENNAN’S
Tarmac Contractors
Knockdrin, Mullingar
Driveways • Paths
• Farm Lanes • Machine Lay
• Tennis Courts • Machine Lay Tar
• Kerbing • All Ground Works
Contact Feichin at 087-6744651
Ph: 044-9331806 www.brennanstarmac.ie
Competitive prices • No obligation quotation • C2 Registered
Cash For Cars
WE BUY YOUR UNWANTED
CARS/VANS/JEEPS/LORRIES
IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT
LICENSED TO COLLECT,
PROCESS AND DE-REGISTER
END OF LIFE VEHICLES
Mullingar Car Dismantlers
044 93 43755
PETS PARADISE
Pets Paradise
caters for all your dog
washing and
grooming needs!
Dog boarding
now available
The Strand,Walshestown, Contact Amanda on
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 086 353 5288
Only 5 minutes outside Mullingar for more info
ROUNDYS AUTOREPAIRS
Knockballybay, Daingean, Co. Offaly
FOR ALL YOUR
MOTORING
REPAIRS
CALL GLEN:
(+353) 089 4011593
HARMON OIL LTD
T/A RAPID FUEL
Galway Road, Kinnegad
For Your
HOME HEATING OIL
Derv • AGRI DIESEL
Tel: 044-9379532 or 0878301087
www.harmonoilltd.ie
• Car Phone Kits
• Car Alarms
• Reversing Sensors
• Reversing Cameras
• GPS Tracking
Contact Barry O’Brien @ 087 9942622
“Mobile installation service
– we come to you!”
KC MAINTENANCE-
MULLINGAR
UPVC-WINDOW-DOOR-PATIO
JOE KEELAN
Tel: 087 2766416
kcmaintenance.mgar@gmail.com
facebook.com/kc.maintenancemullingar
1 Glenmore Wood
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
JOE SHAW
INTERIORS
Curtains & Blinds
Supplying made to measure Curtains,
Roller Blinds, Wooden Venetian Blinds
Roman Blinds, Curtain Poles and tracks
AERIAL & SATELLITE
SOLUTIONS
NEW - IPTV !!!
MOVIES • SPORTS • KIDS’ CHANNELS
www.directtv.ie
• SATELITE & SAORVIEW SYSTEMS
• MULTIROOM & EXTENSIONS
& RELOCATIONS
• FOREIGN SATELLITE - HOTBIRD,
TURKSAT, SKY TV, ETC
• OVER 200 CHANNELS
(NO MORE BILLS OPTION)
20% OFF
PEARSE STREET, MULLINGAR
call Joe for an appointment
on 086 2603670
ALL
BLINDS
CALL TERRY PARKER
087 608 0260 / 044 931 8805
(Mobile preferably) • Midlands Based
MICHAEL GLEESON
APPLIANCE REPAIRS
Repairs to most brands
of cookers, hobs,
washing machines,
dryers, dishwashers etc.
Milltownpass, Co. Westmeath
086-359-8032
• Authorised Sky Digital TV
& Broadband Agents
• SAORVIEW Aerial Installation
• Free to Air Satellite Systems
086 6097271
SOUTH MEATH
WATER SERVICES
Thomas Salley
Trim Road, Longwood, Co. Meath
• Water Pumps & Water Treatment Units
SUPPLIED, FITTED & SERVICED
• Repairs to all makes of Water Pumps
& Water Treatment units
• Spare Parts for all Water Pumps
Over 35 years est.
Tel: 046-9555063; 086-2542170
Johnstown Recycling
Drain Expert at Johnstown
Recycling are now providing:
• Pipe and drain cleaning
• High pressure jetting and
percolation of blocked drains
• Desludging of grease traps
• Septic tank cleaning
Phone Michael @ 086 2599165
www.info@johnstownrecycling.com
WHEN YOU NEED
A PART
GET SMART
CALL MULLINGAR
CAR DISMANTLERS
044 93 43755
GARDEN DOCTORS
J.O’NEILL & SONS, MULTYFARNHAM
• GARDENS REFURBISHED AND
MAINTAINED • WEED CONTROL
• GARDEN RUBBISH REMOVED
• TREE SURGERY • WOOD CHIPPING
• NEW LAWNS LAID • FENCING
• HEDGE & TREE PLANTING
C2 Reg and fully insured
Firewood
For
Sale
086 2580430
www.jonathanoneillandsons.ie
Septic
Tanks
Emptied

30 TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
John Gillick was
everybody’s friend
IT WOULD be quite
impossible to put into
words the genuine feeling
of shock, sadness
and disbelief occasioned
by the news of
the untimely and unexpected
passing of John
Gillick, Coralstown, on
Wednesday morning,
12th April.
A very wide community,
privileged to know him,
was united in an outpouring
of grief the sense of
loss was palpable such was
the love and esteem in
which he was held.
It was early in 1986 when
John and his beloved wife
Adrienne arrived in the
Coralstown area and set up
home with their young
children and within a short
space of time the young
couple established A & J
Newsagents, a convenience
store which became a central
part of the community.
John had a deep knowledge
of and vast experience in
the retail trade and using
these attributes, complimented
by his pleasant and
endearing personality,
built it into a landmark
business. He had a genuine
welcome for his customers
and treated young and old
with great courtesy and
dignity and everyone
enjoyed his relaxed
approach, John gave them
his time and his fun-loving
characteristics were never
far from the surface, he was
a fantastic wit and always
used it to best effect. He
had a great affinity with
the children and always
gave them lots of time to
select their favourite goodies
claiming that it was
important to get it right as
they were customers with
very discerning tastes and
needed to be completely
satisfied with their purchase.
The Gardaí wish to
advise parents and young
people that all school
grounds, within the
parish, are strictly out of
bounds for the duration of
the school holidays and
nobody should trespass on
the grounds or school
buildings without the permission
of the School
Management.
In the past young people
have, innocently, entered
onto school grounds to
play games, but it would
seem that others have
taken advantage of the situation
and caused damage
to the buildings. Therefore,
anyone caught on the property
of the different
schools in the area, without
the permission of the
The late John Gillick.
Gillick’s beautiful home
is somewhere very special
and a visit is always a very
warm and positive experience,
a home where love,
fun and music radiates
from every corner. It was
here that the lifelong honeymooners
reared their
wonderful family instilling
in them traditional family
and community values
encouraging each of them
to realise their own individual
potential, to push
out the boundaries with
their youthful energies and
open up the new horizons
life has to offer. Family life
was all-important to John
and he was at his very best
in their company, this was
a unit of equals and he
treasured every moment
with them.
The quietly spoken John
was always interesting
company; a highly intelligent
man with a treasure
trove of knowledge, he was
also great fun, his storytelling
or quick comment
could have you in knots of
laughter, you always left
John feeling the better of
having shared time with
him.
John possessed a very
caring nature and so many
who knew him benefitted
from his generosity of
spirit, in his own quiet way
he reached out to those
experiencing difficulty, he
was so genuinely interested
in everyone’s wellbeing.
So many tributes
were paid to the genial
John, many stories before
unheard but that was the
measure of the man, when
he reached out to others he
did so privately. Yes, a close
friend put it in context
when he said; “John Gillick
was everybody’s friend”
John’s passing has left a
deep void in his adopted
Coralstown community, a
void that will be difficult to
fill, but the memory of one
of life’s finest gentlemen,
his pleasant and caring
personality, the great fun
times we all shared will
bring a smile and laughter
back into all our lives, just
as John would want.
On Wednesday morning,
12th April, John slipped
quietly from this life bringing
to a close a life dedicated
to family, church and
community and he did so
with great confidence in
the new life opening up for
him.
Large numbers from all
walks of life and from far
and near gathered at the
reposing on Saturday
evening in St Camillus
Chapel and many returned
the following morning to
support the Gillick family
and to celebrate his very
meaningful life in his beautiful
funeral Mass, the family
participation and the
entire celebration reflecting
so positively on John’s
life.
John’s beloved wife and
soul mate Adrienne, daughter
Leesa, sons Seán and
David, daughter-in-law
Miriam, aunts Marian and
Jane, extended family, relatives
and friends, not forgetting
Freddy, are assured
of our thoughts and
prayers during this sad and
trying time. Solas na
bhFlaitheas ar a anam
uasal.
School grounds are out of
bounds during holidays
relevant Management
board, will be prosecuted
under the Public Order
legislation. The Gardaí
hope that such action can
be avoided but it is
entirely up to the parents
to make their children
fully aware of the situation
regarding school property.
An unexpected headache
for Kinnegad commuters!
COMMUTERS travelling to
Dublin by bus or car sharing
and park their cars for the day
at Main Street, Kinnegad,
received an unexpected note
attached to the windscreens of
the respective vehicles when
they returned to the town on
Thursday evening last.
Unannounced, the Westmeath
County Council’s Traffic Warden
arrived in the town during the morning
and checked and recorded the
vehicles parked along the Main
Street, a number of hours later the
Warden returned and once again
checked all vehicles. Vehicles that
had not been moved from the original
inspection were issued with parking
fines. On returning to their respective
cars quite a few of the owners
were shocked to see the ticket
attached to their windscreen stating
that they were unaware of the parking
restrictions but when the number
of signs advising that parking was
restricted to a two hour maximum it
appears that they could have little
argument only for one motorist in
particular saying that it was “going
to be a headache for quite a number
of commuters”. The fine is €40, an
expensive commute for some last One of the cars caught up in last week’s parking ticket blitz on Main
Thursday.
Street, Kinnegad.
Don’t be caught by
unscrupulous callers
With the welcome
stretch in the days we are
all preparing to do some
Spring-cleaning and a little
refurbishment around
the house but take the
advice of the Gardaí when
they advise householders
to exercise caution when
answering the door or
talking to strangers who
call to their homes offering
different services.
Don’t allow anyone into
your home without first
knowing their identity or
satisfying yourself that
there is nothing sinister
about their intentions.
A number of incidents
have been reported in
which people, especially
those living in rural
areas, have been
approached by people
travelling in vans offering
to do work around their
homes. In a number of
such cases people have
The Club’s weekly
Lucky Numbers draw
took place on Monday,
10th April, and the first
four numbers out of the
big drum were; 8, 15, 16 &
30, there was no lucky
winner of the €3,800 jackpot.
Coming closest to a
jackpot with match-three
numbers was, ‘Byrnes c/c’
c/o Alan Woods, winning
the €200 cash prize.
Congratulations to the
‘Byrnes c/c’ and best of
luck to everyone in next
week’s draw, with the
jackpot hitting the €4,000
mark.
‘Drive Thru Bingo’:- The
GAA Club’s hugely popular
Drive Thru Bingo will
be held in the Club’s
agreed to have work done
and hand over their hard
earned money only to find
that they have been duped
by these gangs of
unscrupulous thugs.
Please heed the advice of
the Gardaí, never allow
strangers into your home,
never agree to have work
done in or around your
home unless you are completely
satisfied that they
are reputable people doing
the work and never hand
over money until the work
is complete to your satisfaction.
If you have any
doubts about anyone calling
to your door you
should immediately contact
a close neighbour and
the Gardai.
The Gardai can make
themselves available if
you wish to talk to them
on home security or any
other matter that may be
of concern to you.
Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA
Lucky Numbers Draw
Grounds on Sunday, 23rd
April, commencing at
3.00pm sharp. Always a
great attraction for the
Bingo enthusiast and it’s
no wonder with up to
€7,000 to be won on the
afternoon and that
includes a guaranteed
jackpot of €2,000, nice if
you can win it and it
might be you with the
lucky cheque!!
Sympathy: - All associate
with the
Coralstown/Kinnegad
GAA Club wish to extend
their deepest and heartfelt
sympathy to the Gillick
family, Coralstown, on the
untimely passing of John.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a
anam dilis.
60th birthday
celebrations for
Joseph Ennis
Congratulations and
many happy returns to Mr
Joseph Ennis, Cloneycavant,
Killucan, on the
solemn occasion of his 60th
birthday which occurred
on Saturday last and was
celebrated in the fashion
befitting the very
restrained and humble gentleman.
Family and a few friends
gathered in Nanny Quinn’s
famous restaurant for a
sumptuous meal enjoyed
by everyone and this was
followed by a short speech
lasting one hour and eight
minutes, from the guest of
Congratulations and best
wishes to Rosaleen and
Eamon Hickey, Riverdale,
Raharney, who recently celebrated
their 54th wedding
anniversary. The popular
local couple enjoyed a
lovely family gathering for
the occasion and luckily
enough Eamon didn’t
The Club’s weekly ‘Lotto
Numbers Draw’ took place
in Scanlon’s Lounge, Kinnegad
on Tuesday, 11th
April and the first four
numbers out of the drum
were; 3, 4, 7 & 29. There was
no lucky winner of the
lucrative €11,250 jackpot
and coming closest with
three numbers were; Margaret
Farrelly, Ger & Owen
and Ken Holbrook and winning
€35 each.
Congratulations to Ken,
honour, during which he
thanked everyone for making
the effort to join with
him on the day and for the
presents he received from
some of the guests and the
lack of presents from others,
saving blushes he mentioned
no names!!
It was a most enjoyable
gathering of family and
friends and the bould Joe is
wished every good wish
from them all, including all
who have made his
acquaintance down the
years....here’s to the next 40
Joe!!!
Rosaleen & Eamon celebrate
their wedding anniversary
break into song although
he did so only because Rosaleen
is believed to have
had him forewarned!!
The happy couple are
wished many more years of
good health and happiness
from all the family and
their many friends
throughout the area.
Kinnegad Juniors AFC notes
Ger & Owen and Margaret
and best of luck to everyone
in the next draw with
the jackpot reaching
€11,400.
Sympathy: - All within
the Club were deeply saddened
to learn of the passing
of John Gillick,
Coralstown, and extend
deepest sympathy to the
Gillick family on their
great loss. May he rest in
peace.

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
DELVIN DIARY
NEWS
31
news@topic.ie
Another Body & Soul Festival
meeting set for early June
Delvin heroes: Brian Herward, Josh Coll and Dean
Ennis were among the member of the Delvin
team who won the O’Toole’s tournament in
Crumlin, Dublin, last Friday afternoon.
Delvin U16 hurlers
win Good Friday
tournament in Dublin
Delvin-St. Paul’s U14 footballers
Four Delvin Cub
Scouts part of
Clonmellon’s
Easter Hallelujah
Dance
As part of local tradition
going back over thirty
years, local schoolchildren
performed the Hallelujah
dance at the Easter Service
in Clonmellon last Saturday
and also in Killalon on
Easter Sunday morning.
Delvin’s U16 hurlers
came out on top in a sixteam
tournament in
Dublin last Friday
afternoon. They were
the guests of the
O’Toole’s GAA Club in
Crumlin, along with
such distinguished
clubs as Kilkenny’s
Bennettsbridge and St.
Martin’s, Lorrha from
north Tipperary and
Dublin dual star Ciaran
Kilkenny’s Castleknock
club.
The boys from The Valley
saw off Lorrha in the opening
round before accounting
for Castleknock in the
next round. In the semifinal,
Delvin faced St. Martin’s
before upstaging the
hosts O’Tooles in the
decider. All in all, it was
tremendous achievement
for mentors John Coll and
John McCormack and their
boys.
Meanwhile the Delvin/St
Paul’s U14 footballers also
recorded a notable victory
over Tubberclair in their
Division 2 encounter in
Delvin on Thursday, 13
April, on a scoreline of 10-9
to 4-1.
This was a great team
performance and they are
aiming to build on this
result in their next match
in a few weeks time. Well
done to the team mentors
and the team.
A sizeable attendance at an
open meeting for residents living
and/or working in the areas
surrounding Ballinlough Castle
was present in the Darnley
Lodge Hotel, Athboy, last Tuesday
evening, 11 April.
The Body & Soul Festival representatives,
including co-founder
and Festival Director Avril Stanley,
The Archerstown
5km run/walk
takes place on Sunday
afternoon, 30
April. The start
time is 2pm. Registration
opens an
hour beforehand at
1pm in Brownstown
Community
Centre. All competitors’
times will
be recorded.
Prizes for 1st and 2nd
places in men’s and
ladies’ categories. Afterrace
reception in the
Community Centre,
Aideen Darcy (Company Operations),
Megan Best (Event Operations)
and Licensing Co-Ordinator,
Rani Cameron outlined and shared
their plans for the forthcoming
event on the weekend of June 23-35.
And unlike similar pop and
music festivals, it was also
expressed by the speakers of their
intention and wish to make the
Archerstown 5Km Run/Walk
and Turf cutting event
PAROCHIAL NOTICES
Parish Youth Group:
The parish Youth Group
meet every Friday in
Fatima Hall from 7.30pm -
9.30pm. Young people from
First Year upwards are welcome.
Contact Laura
O’Neill 086 36442363 or see
Delvin Youth Ministry
Facebook page.
Parish Magazine:
Copies of the 2016 issue are
Final Mullingar Book Collection for Delvin Book Fair this weekend
The final book collection for
the annual Delvin Garradrimna
Book Fair takes place at the car
park entrance to Dunnes Stores
in the Harbour Shopping Centre
this Saturday, 22 April, between
11.00 and 4.00pm. And by all
accounts, the stock of books has
never been greater since the
event began seven years ago.
After the final collection next
weekend, it is estimated that
almost 30,000 books could be on
display. And many of those titles
are believed to be on the subject
of fishing and angling.
In keeping with the previous
year’s successful and enjoyable
format, there will be guest readers
among the entertainers,
including Eamon Lalor and
travel documentary maker Manchan
Magan. And there is also a
short story competition, with the
winning entries announced and
read by the guest readers.
But the day is not all about
books, with plenty of other stallholders
on view, including local
crafts and foods. All the indications
are that plans are in place
for another memorable day,
with every effort being made to
help visitors from Mullingar to
avoid the disruption as a result
of the three-month road closure
ahead of this year’s event at the
end of the month.
The Book Fair commences at
12.00 noon until 6.00pm in the
usual venue – the local Cattle
Mart in Delvin.
with all proceeds to North
Westmeath Hospice. Entry
fee is €10.
Meanwhile on Sunday, 7
May, and also jointly in aid
of North Westmeath Hospice,
there is a fundraising
turf-cutting demonstration
at Drumcree Bog, starting
at 12.00 noon.
The other beneficiary
from the afternoon on the
bog is Fore Church Window
Restoration Fund.
Music and food served all
day and ending with the
crowning of the Turf Cutting
Queen and all that
entertainment for just €10!
available from Michael
Leonard’s or the Parochial
House. Some back issues
are also available at the
reduced price of €2
Important Dates in 2017
May - Saturday 20 May -
First Holy Communion
June - Sunday 4 June - Pentecost
Sunday
August - Sunday 6 August -
Cemetery Day - Killulagh
Monday 7 August - Cemetery
Day - Crowenstown
Saturday 12 August - Cemetery
Day - Delvin
annual event near Clonmellon
much more community inclusive.
In order to achieve this objective,
the organisers are offering an
enhanced volunteering package as
well as an increase in the number
of community tickets being made
available to local causes.
The attendance also noted that
this year’s event is not likely to
exceed 15,000 and that an older festival
goer will remain their target
audience. But what most of the
attendance was particularly interested
to hear was the organisers’
traffic management plan during
festival week as well as Monday 12
June when work will begin on constructing
the festival site.
Delvin girl Aideen
in contention for
Westmeath Rose
Delvin’s hopes of bringing
the Westmeath Rose
of Tralee crown back to
the The Valley rest with
twenty-year-old Aideen
Duffy.
A Hotel and Leisure
Management student at
Athlone Institute of Technology
and sponsored by
the Annebrook House
Hotel, Aideen goes forward
to this Friday’s
selection night at the
Radisson Blu show in
Athlone which starts at
8.30pm.
Good luck, Aideen.
Delvin’s Rose: 22-year-old Aideen Duffy will be
carrying Delvin’s hopes at this Friday evening’s
Westmeath Rose of Tralee selection evening in
Athlone.
Delvin couple’s fundraising
Croagh Patrick climb next month
Ahead of a benefit night is being organised for
brain haemorrhage victim and Clonmellon man,
Eamonn Smith, on Friday, 28 April in the Darnley
Lodge in Athboy, it was announced that the Body
& Soul Festival will also be making a donation to
his cause. The young man faces a long and quite
expensive road to recovery for all the treatment he
will require.
A group of his friends has now come together to
orangise this special night for him and hopefully
also raise the necessary funds for him to acquire his
Up to 150 climbers have so
far volunteered to join Ballivor-native
Gordon Farrell
and his Swedish-born partner
Jessica Eriksson on
their fundraising climb of
Croagh Patrick on Saturday,
6 May. Proceeds from
their hike will go to the
Jack & Jill Foundation in a
kind gesture of thanks for
the support they received
from the organisation following
the death of their
baby son, Noah, who was
aged just three weeks.
Noah’s short life was the
result of a birth defect condition
known as hypoplastic
left heart syndrome,
which affects the development
of the heart during
pregnancy. His parents’
climb of Croagh Patrick
will therefore help to fund
the same kind of care for
other grieving parents that
they received both before
and after Noah’s death.
Sponsorship cards are
still available from Jessica
and Gordon by e-mail
request on: Jessica.ericksson@live.ie
or just telephone
on Mob: 087 6850214
or 087 2283041. (See interview
with Jessica and
Craig in this week’s edition).
Body & Soul Festival to make a donation to Eamonn Smith Fund
treatment and rehabilitation or any support that
will make life easier for him.
Matt and Paul Leavy will provide the entertainment
with some special guests. An auction is also
being organised. Tickets of the evening are €15
and available from Williams Daybreak, Leonard’s
Shop, Clonmellon, Bird’s Centra, Athboy, Athboy
Post Office, McCann and Byrne, Athboy and The
Darnley Lodge. For further details please contact
Gerry on 087 949 0586.

32 TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
CASTLEPOLLARD COMMENT
news briefs
St Michael’s Parish Easter
Draw on Sunday week
St Michael’s Parish
Castlepollard will
hold an Area Eastertide
Draw on Sunday,
30 April. The draw
will take place after
9.30am and 11.30am
Masses in St John
Paul II Parish Centre,
Church Street, Castlepollard
and it will be
held in conjunction
with a Cake Sale and
Coffee Day.
The prizes include first
prize of €500, second prize
of €250, third prize of a
painting, fourth prize of a
cake, fifth is a rocking
horse and sixth is a
voucher. Entry to the draw
is just €2 per line or six
lines for €10.
The funds from the draw
will go towards the establishment
of the Men’s Shed
building in the Old School
and will also assist with
Finea Church repairs, as
the church is 111 years old
and in need of repair.
Cards for the draw are
available now from any
Parish Committee member
and your support is greatly
appreciated.
Sharing and reading of
Poetry in Castlepollard
Library
Castlepollard Library will host a ‘Sharing and
Reading of Poetry’ in conjunction with Poetry
Ireland Day on Wednesday, 26 April from
11.30am until 1pm. The Sharing and Reading
of Poetry will be hosted by poet PD Lyons.
If you are coming to the
event why not bring along a
poem you like, maybe one
of your own, someone
else’s or even a lyric or two
from your favourite song.
You can read it yourself or
if you are feeling shy, we’d
be glad to read it for you.
The event is free, but
spaces are limited so be
sure to book a place with
the library by phoning 044-
9332199.
Slippery road surface
to be reviewed
A North Westmeath councillor
welcomed the news
that improvements to the
surface of the Coole to Multyfarnham
Road are to be
considered in this year’s
estimates.
Cllr. Paddy Hill raised the
matter in his motion to the
March meeting of
Mullingar Municipal District.
Cllr. Hill requested
that the council would
carry out improvements to
the surface at the bend
close to The Friary as he
has had reports that this
stretch is very slippery.
It was confirmed to him
that the sought after works
could be considered in the
2017 Surface Dressing Programme
and he welcomed
this response.
Flooding at Coole
is being repaired
Flooding at Fearmore, Coole has been a persistent
problem over a long number of months
and there is good news as the matter is now
being investigated by Westmeath County Council.
This was the confirmation
given to Cllr. Frank McDermott
when he raised the
matter at a recent meeting
of Mullingar Municipal
District.
Cllr. McDermott described
the flooding as “constant”
and he welcomed the news
that the matter is being
looked at with a view to
resolving the issue.
Tidy Towns Spring
Clean on Saturday
Castlepollard Tidy Towns
will hold their Spring Cleaning
Day on Saturday, 22
April from 10.30am until
12.30pm. All those interested
in helping out Castlepollard
Tidy Towns on the
day can meet at the Town
Hall. The group will attempt
to clean as many roads and
areas as possible and all are
welcome to assist.
Fundraising events for Claire
Graham Ginnell continue
The kindness and generosity of the people of Castlepollard and north Westmeath has once again come to light as
the community has rallied around superbly to support the fundraising efforts of Claire Graham Ginnell, who is
orginially from Castlepollard and who has been diagnosed with a very serious form of cancer.
Claire, who lives in
Dublin but is originally
from Ballymanus, Castlepollard,
was diagnosed
with Triple Negative Breast
Cancer - a particularly
aggressive and fast moving
cancer that can only be
treated with chemotherapy.
Three months after her
diagnosis, Claire’s one year
old son Harley was diagnosed
with Retinoblastoma
(cancer of the eye) and subsequently
had to have it
removed. Not only did
Claire have to go through
her own treatment but she
also had to look after
Many people
involved in the local
Tidy Towns group in
Castlepollard were
very annoyed to discover
that a sign
they had erected was
vandalised over the
past week.
The sign, a very informative
sign, was erected on
the Finea Road, approximately
two years ago. The
sign is situated at the
entrance to a looped walk
that connects the Finea
Road up with Water Street.
The walk takes in many
aspects of nature in the
area, and those who frequent
this walk may see
some of the many birds,
insects, plants, flowers and
all colourful aspects of
Harley as he went through
his treatment and struggled
to cope with his prothesis.
At the end of 2016 Claire
was supposed to start radiotherapy,
which should have
signalled the end of her
treatment. However, she
was having headaches and
was referred for an MRI
and unfortunately the cancer
had spread to her brain.
In early 2017 it was also
discovered that her breast
cancer had returned.
Claire’s only hope is a drug
called Pembrolizumab but
this drug is only available
in England and will cost
The talk will take place in
Castlepollard Library on
Thursday, 27 April at 11am
and will last approximately
45 minutes with time
allowed for questions and
answers or discussion
afterwards. Booking for
this event is essential
though and those interested
should contact the
library at 044-9332199 or
email: cpdlib@westmeathcoco.ie
Noel Monahan has published
six collections of
poetry the most recent
being: ‘Where the Wind
Sleeps: New and Selected
Poems’ which was published
by Salmon Poetry in
2015. In the autumn of 2014
he did a US tour giving
readings in the universities
of Minnesota and Iowa.
This talk should appeal to
all lovers of Irish poetry
because it deals with an
Irish poet who made his
mark both nationally and
internationally. John Montague
was the author of
over 30 books of poetry,
essays, memoir and short
stories. In 1998 he was
named the first Ireland
Professor of Poetry, a three
year appointment to three
Irish Universities (North
and South) established in
Claire in the region of
£85,000 (€100,000).
It is here that the people
of Castlepollard and the
local areas have stepped in
and shown their generosity.
After the very successful
Breakfast Morning was
held in the Hotel Castlepollard,
which we reported on
last week, raised in excess
of €5,000 a number of other
events were organised.
Last Monday afternoon,
Easter Bank Holiday weekend,
Club 50 Castlepollard
held a Motorbike Fun Run.
The run began in Whitehall
and there was a tremendous
turn out of bikes, bikers
and spectators. After
the bike run a monster raffle
was held to raise more
funds.
Also on Easter Monday
last a Fundraising Walk
was held in Mullaghmeen
Forest. Once again this
event was very well supported.
Other events which are
coming up which will support
the Claire Graham
Fund are a Table Quiz
which will take place on
Friday, 28 April in McCormack’s
Pub, Castlepollard.
Tables of four will cost just
the spirit of the Good Friday
Agreement.
Montague was honoured
by the French Government
in 2010 by being made a
Chevalier de la Legion
d’Honneur and was the
recipient of a Life Time
Achievement Award at the
Bord Gais Energy Irish
Book Awards last year.
Montague forged important
literary friendships in
Ireland, France and the
U.S., in Paris he was a
drinking companion of
Samuel Beckett and as a
visiting professor at the
University of California,
Berkeley he came in contact
with the ‘Beat Generation’
poets.
“Inner and Outer
Landscapes: a closer look
at John Montague’s
poetry”
Noel Monahan is well
equipped to deliver this
talk which he calls “Inner
and Outer Landscapes: a
closer look at John Montague’s
poetry” as he is
himself a former teacher
and a practicing poet. His
own work has been translated
into French, Italian,
Romanian and Russian – a
collection of his poems in
French translation was
published in 2015. Noel
€40 and there will be a raffle
on the night.
Then on Friday, 12 May, a
fundraising night of entertainment
will be held in the
Hotel Castlepollard, with
music by Rhythm and
Sticks. Tickets are just €10.
If you want to buy a ticket
and you cannot attend on
the night then just contact
Valerie on 089-4385777, or
Catherine on 087-9576907 or
Shirley on 089-4976081. Your
support for any of these
events is greatly appreciated
by Claire Graham Ginnell
and family.
Disgraceful vandalism to sign in Castlepollard
Disgraceful vandalism to sign in Castlepollard
nature. To let people know
of the various birds, flowers
and insects in the area a
sign was erected by the
Tidy Towns committee at
the entrance to the looped
walk, but last week that
sign was vandalised.
Speaking to Topic this
week, Carol Hayden of the
Tidy Towns committee
expressed her great disappointment
at the vandalism
that took place. The
side of the sign was broken
as can be seen by the photo.
“These vandals have no
respect,” said Carol. “It is
so hard to fund raise these
days. It is a very informative
sign and the man who
put the sign together went
to a great deal of trouble.
We are a voluntary group
and now we will just have
to fundraise again. It is
very frustrating.”
Talk on the poet John Montague to celebrate
Poetry Day Ireland in Castlepollard
As a way of marking Poetry Day Ireland, Westmeath County Library is offering the public a chance to hear award
winning poet, Noel Monahan, give a talk on John Montague, one of the 20th century giants of Irish poetry who
died in Nice in December 2016 at the age of 87.
Monahan is a native of
Granard and is now a fulltime
professional writer
living and working in
County Cavan.
The talk with take place
on Thursday 27th April
(Poetry Day Ireland) in two
venues in Westmeath:
Castlepollard and Athlone.
In both cases admission is
free but booking is essential.
The talk will take place in
Castlepollard Library on
Thursday 27 May at
11.00am, for booking contact
the library at 044-
9332199 or email: cpdlib@
westmeathcoco.ie

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
33
news@topic.ie
The ‘Special Category Award’ went to Castlepollard Community College and was accepted by
Micheál Cassidy of Castlepollard Community College. Also pictured are North Westmeath St
Patrick’s Day Parade Committee members Donie Cassidy, Liam Cheevers, Ollie McCormack,
Sean Montgomery, Martin Smyth and Mick Comiskey.
‘Best Sporting Club’ award went to ‘Rainbow Farm’ and pictured are from left, Sean
Montgomery and Kevin Farrelly both North Westmeath St Patrick’s Day Parade
Committee, Sheila O’Brien and Anne-Marie Galligan of Rainbow Farm, and Martin
Smyth and Jimmy McIntyre, North Westmeath St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
North Westmeath St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2017 Awards
‘Best National School’ float went to St Feichín’s National
School, Fore. Receiving the prize on behalf of the school were
Lorna McCormack, Aisling O’Neill Brady and Orla Gallagher
and in front were Luke Brady, Clodagh and Sean Gallagher.
Also pictured are Martin Smyth and Mick Comiskey of the
North Westmeath St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
‘Best Overall Float’ was won by the Mullingar Vintage Club and was presented to
the members of the Club by Martin Smyth, Chairman of the North Westmeath St
Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
Ollie McCormack, St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee,
presented the Best Business Float award to Alan
Charles, Kevin Farrelly and John Bonham. On right is
Martin Smyth, Chairman of the St. Patrick’s Day
Parade Committee. The award ceremony was held in
‘Town and Country’ Castlepollard.
After another fine
North Westmeath
St Patrick’s Day
Parade on Friday,
17 March, the presentation
of
awards for the
parade took place
in the Town and
Country Pub in
Castlepollard on
Sunday, 9 April.
During the presentation
of prizes former
senator Donie
Cassidy recalled
the great parade on
St Patrick’s Day
and thanked all
those who participated,
organised
and supported the
parade.
North Westmeath St Patrick’s Day Parade 2017 Award for the
Best Vintage Float went to Mullingar Vintage, from left;
Marcella Garvin, Avril Flynn, Roger Garvin, John Gavin, Paul
O’Brien and Martin Smyth (North Westmeath St. Patrick’s Day
Parade Committee). In front are Nicola and Megan Mulvanney.
Mullingar Vintage also won ‘The Best Overall Float’ award.
‘Best Hurling Club’ award went to Castlepollard Hurling Club and was
accepted by Ollie McCormack, Castlepollard Hurling Club, and was
presented by Liam Cheevers, North Westmeath St Patrick’s Day Parade
Committee. Also pictured is Donie Cassidy MC for the Parade and for
the Presentation Night.
North Westmeath St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2017
‘Funniest Float’ went to ‘Simply Unbelievable’ entered
by the Delvin St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
Representing the Delvin group are from left; Michael
and Elizabeth Moran, Anne and John Ayres, Larry
Monaghan and Carmel Moran. Carmel was presented
with the award by Eoin O’Neill, North Westmeath St
Patrick’s Day Parade Committee 2017.
‘Best Shop Window Display’ award went to the local
Castlepollard ICA for Hotel Castlepollard window display.
Present to accept the award from Ted Fagan, North
Westmeath St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee were from left;
Betty Brady, Doréen Slevin, Annie Fagan, Maureen Coghlan,
Rose Madden (President of Castlepollard ICA), Phil Brennan
and Celie Whyte. Partly hidden is Pauline O’Reilly.
‘Most Topical Float’ went to the ‘Donal Trump’ float with
Tony Moore, North Westmeath Parade Committee
accepting the award. Also pictured are Mick Comiskey,
Sean Montgomery and Martin Smyth all from the North
Westmeath St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Missing
from the photo was Tony Corrigan.

34 TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
FARMING
Bord Bia launches new
Quality Assurance Scheme
BORD Bia launched a
new Sustainable Beef
and Lamb Assurance
Scheme (SBLAS) last
week.
The SBLAS sets out the
agreed standards for the
production and certification
of Irish beef and lamb.
The new scheme was
designed in collaboration
with the sector stakeholders,
to meet the demands of
global food buyers for verifiable
proof of Ireland’s
sustainability claims.
The scheme is accredited
to the International Standard
for Product Certification
(ISO 17065) by the Irish
National Accreditation
Board (INAB), which
approved the scheme in
recent days.
A Technical Advisory
Committee has worked on
the scheme over the past 18
months, according to Bord
Bia’s CEO, Tara McCarthy.
“The Irish food sector has
proven yet again that its
collaborative approach to
meeting new challenges
can deliver a scheme that is
the envy of our competitors.
The commitment of
Irish beef and lamb farmers
to meeting the standards
of the new SBLAS
will ensure its success.
“In turn, the introduction
of a close-out period and a
helpdesk facility will make
the scheme more userfriendly,
while audit feedback
will assist in
delivering lower production
costs at farm level.
“By incorporating sus-
Peter Burke T.D.
Looking after
the needs of the
Farming Community
Constituency Office
Blackhall Court,
Blackhall, Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath.
Tel 044 9385044
Mob: 087 7941888
Email:
peter.burke@oir.ie
tainability into the new
scheme we have simplified
our message to international
customers, giving us
an edge on our competitors
with a single, independently-certified
standard
that covers the quality and
sustainability of our beef
and lamb.
“This scheme will be welcomed
by food buyers who
are seeking to, or are
already, responding to the
demands of their consumers
at retail and foodservice
levels for
sustainably-produced quality
food,” McCarthy said.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
SCHEME
The SBLAS will be introduced
in the coming weeks
and it will replace the existing
beef and lamb quality
assurance audits on a
phased basis over the next
18 months.
SUSTAINABILITY
The environmental, social
and economic principles
of sustainability are apparently
embedded in the
requirements of the new
scheme, which also draws
on data provided on-farm
in recent years – to establish
the carbon footprint of
enterprises under the Origin
Green programme.
CLOSE-OUT PERIOD
The scheme provides for
a close-out period, during
which farmers will have a
month to rectify non-compliances
at audit, without
losing their certification
status.
BORD BIA HELPDESK
In an effort to make the
scheme more user-friendly,
Bord Bia will introduce a
helpdesk facility to assist
farmers to prepare for
audits and with close-out of
non-compliances.
PLANT PROTECTION
PRODUCTS
The new scheme will also
incorporate standards for
the use of pesticides onfarm,
which is already a
requirement of the EU Sustainable
Use Directive and
is aimed at ensuring
responsible use of pesticides
in the environment.
BENEFITS FOR FARMERS
For farmers, says Bord
Bia, sustainable production
enables efficient production
– as it involves
minimising the amount of
resources including energy,
feed and water used by
MID WESTERN FORESTRY
www.ireland-forestry.com • (068) 32266
- Forestry premiums between
€510 and €635/ha/year for 15 years.
- Grant covers establishment
and maintenance of forestry.
- Tax free income.
- Draw down your full
basic farm payment.
- Retain full ownership
of land and timber.
- Revenue from timber sales.
Contact us for a free consultation and site visit
enterprises; as well as
implementing measures
that enhance the environmental
performance of
their enterprises.
According to Bord Bia,
these sustainability measures
also typically deliver
economic benefits through
lower costs of production.
INDUSTRY BENEFITS
It is hoped the scheme
will benefit the marketing
of meat in several ways,
including demonstrating
the commitment of Irish
beef and lamb farms to
‘green’ farming practices.
Bord Bia claims that beef
and lamb sourced from sustainable
farms will gain
access to markets that
demand certification. This
will help to “create a preference
for Irish beef and
lamb among valuable customers
with stated sustainability
targets”. –
agriland.ie
At the launch of the new Quality Assurance
Scheme were Bord Bia's Quality Assurance
Director Michael Maloney, farmer Stephen
Morrison and Bord Bia auditor Pat Kelly.
Bernard Kiernan
Midlands Forester
087 2809774
Labour must be
included in cost of
Irish milk production,
says ICMSA
A detailed analysis
must be carried out to
determine the full costs
associated with the production
of milk in Ireland,
according to
ICMSA President John
Comer.
“We are meeting Teagasc on
this issue over the coming days.
This ties in with a study to be
carried out by the European
Milk Board, which will identify
the full costs of producing milk
in each EU member state.”
He added: “Labour must be
included in all productionrelated
costs. The costs associated
with succession must also
be included. Farmers must have
the opportunity to take time off
and spend downtime with their
families.
“And, obviously, there is a cost
associated with all of these activities
– which must be reflected in
the official cost base compiled
for the milk sector.
There is a deficit in understanding
of production costs – at
all levels within the milk industry.
Commenting on the prospects
for farm-gate milk prices, Comer
said that the next few weeks will
be critical.
“We have seen successive price
rises at the last two Global Dairy
Trade events. This trend is also
being reflected in the Ornua
price index. So there is genuine
scope for processors to move
Hannon
Agri Service
• COW FERTILITY AND
PREGNANCY SCANNING
• WEIGHING SERVICE
AND CALF DEHORNING
JOE HANNON
086 605 5768
ICMSA President John
Comer.
milk prices forward to some
extent, over the next couple of
months at least.
“After that, we get into the
volume game. It’s a reality that
the 2% of the world’s milk that
is traded internationally dictates
the price received by the global
dairy sector as a whole.”
Comer said that if world milk
output remains steady over the
coming months, this should
impact on farm-gate prices
accordingly.
This holds out the prospect of
Irish milk producers enjoying a
stable year, relative to 2016.”
He gave no credence to the
view that problems faced by
other dairy nations, such as the
recent floods in New Zealand,
would boost the dairy sector in
this country.
“Our own governance measures
should be sufficiently
robust to allow us to have control
over our own destiny – at all
times,” he concluded. – agriland.ie
AERATOR CUM
ROLLER FOR HIRE
• grow more and
better grass
• add life to soil
• also all types of
contract work
PHONE CHRISTY AUSTIN
087 7544317 • 087 2307034
‘TOPIC’
FIRST
FOR
FARMING
NEWS

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
NEWS
35
DOWN MOATE WAY With The Rambler
Minister Humphreys
launches new Renewal
scheme in Moate
news@topic.ie
The best of Irish comes
to south Westmeath
Cllr. Frankie Keena, Jimmy Redmond, Cllr. Ailish McManus and Cllr. John Dolan, Mayor of Athone,
pictured at Tuar Ard on Thursday last for the visit of Minister Heather Humphreys.
MINISTER Heather
Hum phreys was in
Moate on Thursday
last, 13 April to
launch the next round
of the Town and Village
Renewal scheme.
Tuar Ard Arts Centre
hosted the Minister for Arts,
Heritage, Regional and
Rural Affairs for a second
time, on Thursday morning
last.
Minister Humphreys was
in the area at the invitation
of Deputy Peter Burke TD.
Speaking of the launch,
Burke stated that he was
delighted to welcome the
Minister to the South Westmeath
town, but added that
it is far from her first visit to
the area.
“The Minister for Arts,
Heritage, Regional and
Rural affairs is no stranger
to Moate, having spent a Saturday
in Moate last November
viewing the facilities at
Dún na Sí Heritage Park,
meeting members of Moate
Action Group and dance students
from the Moate Performance
and Arts School,” he
said.
“Moate was a large beneficiary
of the Minister’s Town
and Village Renewal last
year, with €70,000 awarded to
go towards the action plan
for the town.”
“The selection of Tuar
Ard, which is community
based and led, as the location
for the national launch
of the Town and Village
Renewal scheme highlights
the pro-active approach
taken by members of the
community to work on
behalf of their town and
engage positively with the
Minister. Indeed, community
activists such as Cllr
John Dolan have shown
huge commitment to their
area, which has paid dividends
for all residents,” said
Deputy Burke.
Minister Humphreys an -
nounced that the Government
is to spend another €20
million in an effort to kickstart
economic development
in 300 rural villages and
towns.
Local authorities will now
have an eight-week period to
work with local communities
in identifying projects
that will help to bring life
and business back into
towns affected by the recession.
In Moate on Thursday
morning, Minister Hum -
phreys was greeted by members
of the local community
and members of Moate
Action Group, who gave a
presentation to the Minister
in the auditorium of the arts
centre.
Peter Dolan, of Moate
Action Group outlined how
the town has fought the
rough and tough recessionary
period, with local businesses
going the extra mile
to retain custom and jobs in
the area.
Mr. Dolan said that Moate
has been very proactive in
driving improvements for
the town and the community
has given outstanding
support to several initiatives
over the past few years.
Moate has a ‘shop local’
initiative each Christmas to
underpin the importance of
the message to keep business
in the area, and a thriving
Christmas market.
Moate Action Group
spearheaded centenary celebrations
last year and Moate
was also the winner of the
prestigious Pride of Place
award.
Dancezone to stage Pure Imagination
THE Moate based stage school
Dancezone, continues to cultivate the
talent and potential of young performers
from around the area and
with the annual show set for Wednesday,
19 April to Friday, 21 April, these
are exciting times for the troupe.
Next week, Moate Community
School’s gymnasium will be transformed
into an arena ready to stage a
great local show with an all local cast
and crew.
Established by Director and choreographer,
Sandra Julian, Dancezone
has introduced its many members to
the wonderful world of performing
live. Going from strength to strength
for more than twenty years, Dancezone
members take part in a staggering
line up of events, each a
milestone.
The annual show, which will be
staged at Moate Community School,
is the jewel in the Dancezone crown
and this year, Pure Imagination will
wow audiences all over again.
The three night show will be important
occasions for the young people
who have put heart and soul into
being the very best they can be on
stage.
This time around, Dancezone members
are planning a feast for the
senses, with creative dance, combined
with stunning costumes and backdrops
playing an important part in
the production this year.
Preparations for a celebratory show
are now well in hand, making this a a
busy but joyous time for all members.
“I am very much looking forward to
this year’s show. Members are working
so hard and it is coming together
beautifully. I think this will be a real
treat for audiences,” said Sandra.
While the content of the 2017 show
is a carefully guarded secret, Sandra
promises that audiences are in for a
deluxe performance, touching on
themes from many favourites and
classics .
“We want to celebrate the occasion
that’s in it with a bang and provide
something that is uplifting in a time
of doom and gloom. Already, the
plans for the show are well underway.
It’s full steam ahead now we are
entering the final week and ready to
bring the show to the stage,”Sandra
pledged.
Kate Hiney, Anne Farrell, Michael Hiney, Camillus Hiney, Aoife Hiney and
Bernadette Moran, pictured at Brosna Comhaltas’ launch of the Offaly
County Fleadh, coming to Tubber, just a few weeks ahead of the Westmeath
County Fleadh, which will also be hosted in the area, by neighbouring
Moate Comhaltas.
Happy birthday
Best wishes to Natasha McGuinness
who is celebrating her birthday this week.
A little birdie tells us that Natasha’s birthday
is this week and warmest wishes to
Natasha from all of her family and
friends.
Winners
Well done to the recent winners in the
Moate All Whites Lotto. The numbers
drawn were 11, 16, 22 and 26 and matching
MOATE SHORTS
MOATE, the hosts of this year’s Westmeath
Fleadh will certainly be looking forward
to a summer drenched in traditional
entertainment as neighbouring village,
Tubber is welcoming the Offaly Fleadh this
month.
Brosna Comhaltas Group in Tubber will
be the hosts of this year’s Offaly Fleadh,
bringing the cream of traditional performers
to the pretty border village.
On Tuesday night last, Brosna Comhaltas
unveiled a line up of competitions and
events that will bring a host of entertainers
and their supporters from all over the
county to this area nestling the very edge of
south Westmeath.
It is the first of two very significant
events for the area as Moate Comhaltas will
proudly host the Westmeath County
Fleadh in May. It is a truly one off summer
for the south Westmeath district to see two
such popular events come to the area
within weeks of each other.
Banjo players, fiddlers and pipers, tin
whistlers, flutists, accordian players, come
one, come all, for the seisiún to beat all seissiúns
is coming to the area this month.
The festivities in Tubber kick off on
April 21 and no matter what the weather,
this event will be the hottest ticket in town.
The Fleadh brings a unique atmostphere,
as if whistled in on the airs of the hundreds
of all of musicians that will take part
in the uniquely Irish festival of traditional
entertainment.
Hosting the Fleadh will be, said Camillus
Hiney of the Tubber committee, “a great
source of pride for Tubber and all
involved.”
Tubber will be a-buzz with music, dance
and entertainment over the course of the
County Fleadh, an event that will be mirrored
in Moate when the Westmeath
County Fleadh comes to town in May.
This premier cultural celebration will
take place against a backdrop of the careful
plans laid by Moate Comhaltas.
The Dún na Sí Heritage Centre will no
doubt provide a more than stunning backdrop
and as Moate looks forward to this
very exciting event, musicians and lovers
of Irish music and entertainment will happily
support events taking place this month
in neighbouring Tubber.
Combined, the two events will bring a
wealth of traditional entertainers and
their supporters to the south Westmeath
area.
Over a few weeks in April and May, Tubber
and Moate will be a landscape of music,
song and dance that is sure to create an
unforgettable memory to those visiting the
area for the competitions.
three numbers were Catherine Ganley,
c/o Jimmy Redmond and Peter
Gillivan,c/o Jimmy Redmond. The jackpot
is now €6,000 and thanks are extended
to all who support the draw and good luck
to all players.
Thanks
A big thank you to all who supported last
weekend’s race night in aid of Moate All
Whites. Thanks to sponsors and all who
made the night a good one.

36 SPORT
TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
VIVARO SWIFT WINS WALLACE AND MURRAY
IRISH CESAREWICH AT MULLINGAR TRACK
Ken Busteed’s, Vivaro
Swift (Droopys Scolari/
Coolbeg Gemma) completed
an unbeaten path
through the Wallace &
Murray Cesarewitch at
Mullingar on Saturday
night week last when gaining
an authoritative victory
in the €6,500 final.
Vivaro wasn’t the best
away and Mays Melrose led
on the run-up but was
headed into the bend by the
rapidly improving Vivaro
Swift. Young Willie Mc followed
him through into
second and that was the
order down the back
straight with Vivaro enjoying
a four length lead.
At this stage the second
favourite Droopys Smasher
was back in last position
but she got going into the
third bend and she was
fourth turning for home as
Vivaro led comfortably
from Young Willie Mc and
Mays Melrose.
At this stage Droopys
Smasher began to fly and
she came through to finish
second but some two and a
half lengths adrift of the
winner Vivaro Swift who
stopped the clock in 33.23.
Droopys Smasher was a
good second, a length and a
half in front of Mays Melrose.
Catherine Murray, centre of photo, representing the sponsors, makes a presentation to Billy and Kenneth Busteed owners of
Vivaro Swift after he had won the Howard Wallace and Francis Murray Irish Cesarewitch Final at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium.
Also present were Sean Fogarty, Sales Operation Manager, Brendan Farrelly and Andy Murtagh, Directors Mullingar Stadium,
along with family and friends of the owners of the winning dog.
Catherine Murray representing the sponsor and
Keeneth Busteed with Vivaro Swift and the
Cesarewitch trophy.
Joe Gavin fourth from left, makes a presentation to Gerry O'Dowd after Springwell Judy won the Joe Gavin Birthday
Celebrations 525yards race at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium. Also present were Johnaton McNamee, Joseph Gavin, Duncan
Gavin, Maureen Gavin, Amanda Gavin, Leisle Gavin, Olivia Gavin, Ester Gavin and Michael Gavin.
Thomas and Marie Garry were at the Cesarewitch
final in Mullingar Greyhound Stadium on
Saturday night, 8 April.
(Above) Studying
the form for the
final of the
Cesarewitch were
Anthony Glennon,
Davy Traynor, Mick
Dinnegan and Pat
Tormey.
Alice Deihy and Joan Byrne were enjoying the
Final of the Ceasrewitch at Mullingar on Saturday
night, 8 April.
(Left) Enjoying the
Cesarewitch final at
Mullingar Greyhound
Stadium were John
Joe and Trevor
Cummins.
Jim Maxie Collins and Paddy Bedford were
busy making a book at the Final of the
Ceaserwitch at Mullingar Greyhound
Stadium.

TOPIC • 20 April, 2017
GORTMELIA PARK IS BACK ON TOP
RACE 1, S6 400
Oldpark Sue was a gutsy
winner of the opener for
Marie Kilduff. Level away,
she stood her ground on
down by the chasing Home
Mai. The Kildare raider
stuck it out to make all by
half a length in 31.33. Clonkeen
Rex ran on for third.
Ballyfore Sky was quickest
away, and he opened up a
five length lead down the
back from the chasing
Bunatern Murry in second.
the inner to hug the rails RACE 4, A9/10 525 Bunatern Murry rounded
and lead narrowly into the The Liam O’Rourke
the final bends well though
back straight. She ran on trained Ardera Agassi
to close the gap, and he finished
strongly to get up late
well from there to win by made short work of his
one length in 22.39.
opposition on debut here. by two lengths. The winning
time was 30.18.
RACE 2, A7/8 525
First to show, he led to the
Weather Bill was out like opening turns and never RACE 7, A4 525
MULLINGAR a light here to snap up the looked back. Opening up Ruby Valley got back in
early lead. He stretched for the judge on the run in,
GREYHOUNDS
the win column in impressive
fashion here for David
four lengths clear of the he won by an extending 6
REPORT FROM
chasing Ely Island and lengths in a promising Hanlon and trainer Frank
SATURDAY
Knockmay Clay, but that
30.01 for owner Catriona Seery. Pacing up well on
lead was short lived.
Brennan.
the inside early doors, she
There was plenty in Weather Bill checked on RACE 5, S8/9 400
spun around the opening
attendance on Saturday the run in to lose all The David Murray turns to lead by a couple
night for what turned momentum, and it was the trained Castlepalooza into the back. Despite the
out to be a great night’s Patrick Coss owned Knockmay
Clay who took full in confident style in this Supreme, Ruby Valley
backed up market support best efforts of Lapari
entertainment at the
dogs. With a few parties advantage. He got up by one. Level away, it was stuck it out to score by two
on the go to add to the four lengths in 30.31. Boynepark Blonde who and a half lengths in 29.56.
atmosphere, it made for
an enjoyable night.
RACE 3, THE BARKING swooped around the opening
bends with a two length BUZZ TRI DISTANCE
RACE 8, THE BARKING
Moynevilla East ran
BUZZ TRI DISTANCE
SEMI-FINAL A4 550 advantage. However, SEMI-FINAL, A4 550
well to score in the first
The Barking Buzz Tri The Jerry Connors
Castlepalooza soon got to Some Boyo hit the lids
Distance semi-final in owned Moynevilla East
work. Murray’s charge rallied
on the run in to get up the race, and he opened up
here to set the early pace to
Race 3, with Castleroggy was a determined all the
Tipp winning the other way winner of this contest.
by three lengths in 22.38 for
a three length advantage
semi-final in Race 8. Level away, he displayed a
owners Keith Glennon and
from the chasing
Springwell Sid and Gortmelia
Park rounded the lead by two lengths around RACE 6, A8 525
Allowdale Sarah down the<